Termination of Psychotherapy

Abstract

Termination refers to the ending of a period of psychotherapy. There has been a wide variety of views on its significance and how it ought to be conducted. Most termination seems to be patient initiated (i.e., the result of the client not showing up for a scheduled session). Termination can also depend on a number of variables, such as the theoretical orientation of the therapist, nature of the client problem, length of treatment, degree of success of therapy, personality characteristics of the client and therapist, and cost considerations. In addition, termination is sometimes associated with the need for relapse prevention and appropriate attention to continuity of care. Finally, the APA Ethical Principles require that termination occur when therapy is not beneficial or likely to be beneficial, when therapy is harming the client, or when there is harm or threat of harm to the therapist.