Why do you end therapy?
There are two parts to this question:
why do people end therapy and how do you end therapy?
If you think about it, it can seem like it would be an awkward process to end a relationship with someone that you shared your personal life story with or with someone that you just met.
There are many reasons why a client may feel as though they are ready to end therapy or their therapeutic relationship with their therapist and try someone new.
People stop going to therapy because:
Their goals are complete
They feel like they don't need the check-ins anymore
Financially, they can't continue to afford it
Their life priorities change, and it's not something they feel like they have the time for anymore.
Other reasons why someone may stop therapy are:
They don't feel like they're connecting with their therapist whether that's in the first session or many sessions in
They don't feel as though they are getting what they need from those therapy sessions
They want to try a new treatment process.
There is also another kind of termination that I like to call ‘graduation from one therapist to another’, which is when the client has maximized that therapist’s intellectual space and capabilities, and now requires a different approach or a specific kind of treatment and is best referred to another therapist. I have had many clients who came to me for trauma-related events or OCD behaviours, and I worked with them for so long until we reached a point where I felt my capabilities had reached their max, and they now would benefit from working with someone who specializes in those areas. This is what is done in the best interest of the client!
When you have built a relationship with a client, and whether they want to end therapy or this is something discussed between the therapist and client, typically the therapist offers a termination session. This is a session where you can review progress, completion of goals, growth and setbacks, as well as the therapeutic relationship itself. It’s also an opportunity to discuss ongoing goals or skills the client wants to continue with outside of session. A termination session can also leave the client having a positive experience with therapy, so if they choose to go back to therapy in the future, their last experience ended on a positive note of closure.
Termination, no matter how or why it happens, can be a very bittersweet process because you've worked with a client for so long, and now you have to say your goodbyes and wish them the best in their journey. Even if they don’t continue with you after an intake appointment, it’s still bittersweet, as it was still a connection and interaction with another person you wanted the best for.