Posted by gardenergirl on April 24, 2004, at 14:22:17
In reply to Re: Hurting therapist's feelings?, posted by Medusa on April 24, 2004, at 12:50:46
QuietHeart,
I am a T in training and am in the process of dealing with termination or transfer with my clients as I will be leaving this site in about six weeks. I have also had clients suggest termination and leave therapy on their own. Some just disappeared, but others have come in and told me they were ready to terminate. I admit in one case, I felt like I was fired, but I had to remind myself that it really is up to the client whether they wish to continue...at any point. But my feeling like I was fired stemmed from my own issues and inexperience. Since then, when people have told me they were terminating, it has been a positive thing.It's always a bit sad to end a special relationship. That sadness is not *caused* by the client deciding to terminate. It's a natural occurrence. I found it helps me and perhaps the client to share some thoughts I have about the process--what I appreciated about the client, how far they have come, my feelings about the ending, etc. I think this makes it more human and real, rather than not telling someone who has shared such personal stuff with you that it meant something.
Some of my clients have walked in and said this is their last session. Others have talked about for a few weeks. Some have tapered off by going a few weeks in between, others have gone straight thru til the end or just not come back. I do prefer to have a last session with people rather than just wonder what happened.
Hope this helps. Take care. Termination can stir up stuff temporarily that can feel like back-sliding. It's just an anxiety reaction to termination, and it passes when you realize what it is and that you can handle it.
How great that you are at this point. Good for you!
gg
poster:gardenergirl
thread:339530
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040419/msgs/339563.html