Terminating Therapy A Professional Guide to Ending on a Positive Note [Paperback]

The first book of its kind to provide an in-depth approach to termination of therapy, Terminating Therapy guides you through the practical, ethical, legal, and emotional challenges of how and when to end therapy. Written for a wide range of practitioners at every level of experience, this book provides straightforward advice on ending therapy on a positive note.

Foreword by Arthur Freeman, Ed.D., ABPP vii

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xiii

1 Termination Strategy: A Pragmatic Approach in Contemporary Practice 1

The Importance of Termination 1

Pragmatic Strategy for Termination 18

Summary Points for Applied Practice 23

2 Professional Skills and Termination 25

Building A Base of Collaboration 25

Applying Reasonable Professional Standards 36

Summary Points for Applied Practice 46

3 Positive Closure from the Start: Groundwork for Termination 47

Optimize the Match 47

Set Policy and Shape Expectations for Termination 52

Formulate a Termination Plan 60

Summary Points for Applied Practice 76

4 Talking about Termination: A Closer Look at Communications 77

Orientation to the Topic of Termination 77

Making the Decision to Terminate 86

Creating a Record 104

Summary Points for Applied Practice 106

5 Achieving Closure: Assuring Professional Action 109

Directing the Termination Process 109

Managing Risks 123

Summary Points for Applied Practice 133

6 Adapting Termination to Client Needs: A Cl#,