Chapter 8 - Termination of Counselling Relationships (SIX)

Question 1

Define/explain: termination

Answer 1

• the decision to end a counseling relationship
• may be made unilaterally or mutually
• may produce mixed feelings on the part of both the counselor and the client, and unless handled properly, closing has power to harm as well as heal
• should be planned vs. abrupt
• it is still vital that counselors monitor clients’ progress, end relationship at a specific time, and make post-counselling plans
• follow up is important

Question 2

Post-traumatic growth is the opportunity to end a counselling relationship in a healthy way. How does is work?

Answer 2

• positive life changes that come as a result of suffering or struggling with natural or human made traumatic events
• ex. middle-aged divorcee goes from home-maker to self-sufficient
• the opportunity to end a learning experience properly

Question 3

What are some of the positive effects of terminating a counselling relationship?

Answer 3

• the knowledge that the counseling experience is limited in time can spur a client to work hard while there is still time
• a means of maintaining changes already achieved and generalizing problem-solving skills acquired in counseling to the real world, ex. providing the client with tools for their tool box, strategies to deal with their issues
• serves as a reminder that the client has matured

Question 4

What are some questions that help determine when it is appropriate to terminate a counselling relationship?

Answer 4

1. Have clients achieved behavioral, cognitive, or affective contract goals? – Value of contracts!
2. Can clients concretely show where they have made progress in what they wanted to accomplish?
3. Is the counseling relationship helpful? (If either client or counsellor feels that it is no longer helpful, closing is appropriate), ex. Practicing beyond the scope of your expertise, use immediacy; checking in with client to find out
4. Has the context of the initial counseling relationship changed? (ex. A move, prolonged illness, etc)

Question 5

Determination Factors of Terminating a Counselling Relationship:

Answer 5

1. Reduction/elimination of initial issue
2. Reduction/elimination of stress-producing feelings
3. Presence of client’s coping ability and understanding of self and others
4. Client’s ability to relate, love and be loved
5. Client’s ability to plan and work productively
6. Client’s ability for enjoyment
7. Financial issues, client can’t continue

Question 6

Ways to Facilitate the End of the Client-Counsellor Relationship:

Answer 6

• fading; a gradual decrease in the structures developed to create desired changes (shortened sessions, longer time in between appointment etc.)
• helping clients develop successful problem-solving skills, esp. education, prevention, and decision-making skills
• fostering generalization; translating what is learned from the counseling experience to life

Question 7

What are some factors related to increased resistance to closing?

Answer 7

• if the counseling relationship has lasted a long time or has involved high levels of intimacy
• if there were significant issues at onset leading to remarkable change, ex. Client seeing counselor as miracle pill
• pain of earlier loss
• loneliness, ex. people who are very isolated
• unresolved grief
• need gratification, ex. counselors that need to be needed, client relies on counselor for positive reinforcement, confidence
• fear of rejection
• fear of having to be self-reliant

Question 8

5 Ds for Successfully Dealing with Loss:

Answer 8

1. Determine ways to make transition a gradual process
2. Discover significance different activities have had in life
3. Describe this significance to others
4. Delight in what was gained and in what lies ahead
5. Define areas of continuity in your life

Question 9

Reasons a client may terminate a relationship early:

Answer 9

• to see if the counselor really cares
• to try to elicit positive feelings from the counselor
• to punish or try to hurt the counselor
• to eliminate anxiety
• to show the counselor that the client found a cure elsewhere
• to show the counselor that the client does not feel understood
• financial reasons

Question 10

Variables most likely to be effective in preventing premature closing:

Answer 10

• appointments; regularly scheduled with brief amounts of time between appointments
• orientation to counseling; the more clients know about the process of counseling, the more likely they are to stay with it
• consistency of counselor; counselor who does initial intake should continue counseling the client
• reminders (with client’s permission); to motivate client attendance, ex. cards, phone calls, texts, or emails

Question 11

4 Guidelines a Counsellor Can Use to End a Counselling Relationship in a Positive Way:

Answer 11

1. Be aware of client’s needs and desires and allow client time to express them. – Don’t minimize!
2. Review major events of the counselling experience and bring review to the present
3. Supportively acknowledge changes client has made as well as follow-up issues
4. Request follow-up contact