STUDY NOTE 4 for PYC3705
Theme: Termination: the final stage of the counselling process
When any relationship ends, including a counselling relationship, there are many emotions that those
individuals involved in the relationship may experience. The Termination Stage is the final stage of
counselling, but is just as important as the initial phase of counselling. How you close your counselling
relationship can have a significant impact on your client's view of his or her experience in counselling and
the likelihood of their practicing what has been learned in counselling after sessions have concluded.
Termination is the final stage of the counselling process but is not something that should be broached
during your last (or next to last) session with a client. Doing so does not allow for the proper amount of time
for counsellor and client to process what termination means, how the client will handle the conclusion of
the counselling relationship, and what follow-up contact or transitioning needs to happen for the client.
Termination should be among the first topics that you and your client discuss. The therapist must be clear
from the first contact, unless there are mitigating circumstances, which the intent of treatment is to help the
(client) function without the therapist. As a counsellor, you are ethically bound to communicate to your client
how long you will be available to counsel them, to discuss openly the timeline of your relationship, and to
make appropriate referrals or recommendations at the conclusion of your relationship. It is a stage of
counselling that clients need to be prepared for and counsellors need to address early on in the counselling
process to avoid abandonment.
Features of initiating termination:
1. Summarise the session
Ask client to summarise the main points that have emerged in the session
Refer back to overall goals of the counselling discussed in contract, if established
2. Review and remind about the action plan for after treatment
Discuss way forward
Establish need for more counselling sessions
Establish type of issues to be explored in counselling
Establish need for referral or whether help with the remaining problems can be provided within
the same counselling process
3. Emphasise achievements
Acknowledge progress made and offer word of encouragement if client has made good progress
Stress specific outcomes which counsellor thinks has been helpful
Invite client to mention the highlights of the sessions
4. Normalise mixed feelings
Check feelings of sadness provoked by imminent ending of counselling relationship
Remind client that feelings are normal and appropriate
5. Conclude on a high note
Give client a meaningful quote or statement to think about
Utilise a metaphor where appropriate to describe the counselling process or counselling
relationship
Thank client for involvement and wish them luck in the implementation of any steps or plans
agreed upon
Remind client of ongoing availability of counsellor
Theme: Termination: the final stage of the counselling process
When any relationship ends, including a counselling relationship, there are many emotions that those
individuals involved in the relationship may experience. The Termination Stage is the final stage of
counselling, but is just as important as the initial phase of counselling. How you close your counselling
relationship can have a significant impact on your client's view of his or her experience in counselling and
the likelihood of their practicing what has been learned in counselling after sessions have concluded.
Termination is the final stage of the counselling process but is not something that should be broached
during your last (or next to last) session with a client. Doing so does not allow for the proper amount of time
for counsellor and client to process what termination means, how the client will handle the conclusion of
the counselling relationship, and what follow-up contact or transitioning needs to happen for the client.
Termination should be among the first topics that you and your client discuss. The therapist must be clear
from the first contact, unless there are mitigating circumstances, which the intent of treatment is to help the
(client) function without the therapist. As a counsellor, you are ethically bound to communicate to your client
how long you will be available to counsel them, to discuss openly the timeline of your relationship, and to
make appropriate referrals or recommendations at the conclusion of your relationship. It is a stage of
counselling that clients need to be prepared for and counsellors need to address early on in the counselling
process to avoid abandonment.
Features of initiating termination:
1. Summarise the session
Ask client to summarise the main points that have emerged in the session
Refer back to overall goals of the counselling discussed in contract, if established
2. Review and remind about the action plan for after treatment
Discuss way forward
Establish need for more counselling sessions
Establish type of issues to be explored in counselling
Establish need for referral or whether help with the remaining problems can be provided within
the same counselling process
3. Emphasise achievements
Acknowledge progress made and offer word of encouragement if client has made good progress
Stress specific outcomes which counsellor thinks has been helpful
Invite client to mention the highlights of the sessions
4. Normalise mixed feelings
Check feelings of sadness provoked by imminent ending of counselling relationship
Remind client that feelings are normal and appropriate
5. Conclude on a high note
Give client a meaningful quote or statement to think about
Utilise a metaphor where appropriate to describe the counselling process or counselling
relationship
Thank client for involvement and wish them luck in the implementation of any steps or plans
agreed upon
Remind client of ongoing availability of counsellor
