Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, Jr. G. H. (2018) . Understanding generalist practice (8th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.
· Chapter 8, “Evaluation, Termination, and Follow-Up in Generalist Practice” (pp. 308–345)
To Prepare: Reflect on a time when you have terminated a relationship—either planned or unplanned.
Submit a 1- to 2-page reflection paper in which you:
· Identify at least two emotions you may confront when addressing termination with a client.
· Explain how you would process these emotions.
· Explain how you would address one ethical and one legal obligation if termination would be unplanned.
Full Answer Section
Processing Emotions
I would process these emotions in the following ways:
- Allow myself to feel the emotions. It is important to acknowledge and accept my feelings, rather than trying to suppress them. I can do this by talking to a trusted colleague or therapist, journaling, or engaging in other self-care activities.
- Remind myself of the importance of termination. Termination is a natural part of the therapeutic process. It is a sign that the client has made progress and is ready to move on.
- Focus on the client's needs. I can remind myself that the termination process is about the client and their needs, not mine. I can focus on helping the client to prepare for termination and to make a successful transition to life without therapy.
Ethical and Legal Obligations
If termination is unplanned, I would address the following ethical and legal obligations:
- Ethical obligation: I would maintain confidentiality and avoid discussing the client with anyone other than other professionals who are directly involved in the client's care.
- Legal obligation: I would provide the client with a written notice of termination, which should include the reason for termination, the date of termination, and any referrals to other resources that may be helpful to the client.
In addition to the above, I would also take the following steps to ensure that the client has a smooth transition to life without therapy:
- Discuss the termination with the client as soon as possible. This will give the client time to process the news and to prepare for the end of the relationship.
- Help the client to identify and develop coping mechanisms. This may include teaching the client new skills or referring the client to other resources.
- Offer to meet with the client less frequently in the weeks leading up to termination. This can help the client to adjust to the idea of ending the relationship.
- Provide the client with a list of referrals to other mental health professionals. This will give the client the option to continue therapy with another therapist if they choose.
Termination can be a difficult process for both the client and the therapist. However, by following the above guidelines, I can help to ensure that the termination process is ethical, legal, and supportive for the client.