Terminating Therapy
A Professional Guide to Ending on a Positive Note
1. Edition April 2008
304 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
ISBN:
978-0-470-10556-6
John Wiley & Sons
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 Consumer-Oriented Perspective 135
Sociocultural Context 135
Clinical Needs 138
Developmental and Health-Related Needs 163
Practical Concerns 168
Summary Points for Applied Practice 171
7 Provider Challenges 173
Termination Dissonance 173
Sudden or Crisis Terminations 180
Self-Management Challenges 189
Summary Points for Applied Practice 198
8 Termination with Couples, Families, and Groups 201
Attending to Multiple Interests 201
Termination and Group Therapy 212
Summary Points for Applied Practice 216
9 Supervisory Termination 219
The Supervisory Relationship 219
Problems in Supervisory Termination 233
Summary Points for Applied Practice 244
10 A Consumer's Guide to Ending Psychotherapy 247
Understanding How to End on a Positive Note 248
References 265
Subject Index 275
Author Index 287
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 Consumer-Oriented Perspective 135
Sociocultural Context 135
Clinical Needs 138
Developmental and Health-Related Needs 163
Practical Concerns 168
Summary Points for Applied Practice 171
7 Provider Challenges 173
Termination Dissonance 173
Sudden or Crisis Terminations 180
Self-Management Challenges 189
Summary Points for Applied Practice 198
8 Termination with Couples, Families, and Groups 201
Attending to Multiple Interests 201
Termination and Group Therapy 212
Summary Points for Applied Practice 216
9 Supervisory Termination 219
The Supervisory Relationship 219
Problems in Supervisory Termination 233
Summary Points for Applied Practice 244
10 A Consumer's Guide to Ending Psychotherapy 247
Understanding How to End on a Positive Note 248
References 265
Subject Index 275
Author Index 287
"Denise Davis is right on point in her book Terminating Therapy: A
Professional Guide for Ending on a Positive Note. In this book she
addresses the confusion that exists in this area of professional
practice in a very productive way, clarifying it in fashion that
offers guidance that is ethical, legal and in the best interests of
both the patient and the therapist. Her common sense approach to
termination issues is refreshing and makes this book a must read
for all mental health professionals regardless of their
specialty."
--Jeffrey N. Younggren, Ph.D., Risk Management
Consultant, American Psychological Association Insurance Trust
Denise Davis' review of the process of termination grounds the
reader in practical fundamentals of initiating, framing and
maintaining treatment as she consistently focuses on the needs,
goals and progress of clients, yet never overlooks the at times
knotty concerns of clinicians striving to deliver safe and ethical
service that reflects best practices and evidence-based
accountability. With sensitivity, Denise Davis provides a helpful
compilation of practical pitfalls that might befall any therapeutic
alliance. This work is a "must-read" clinical treasure...
Davis' work clearly fills a gap in the literature to enrich
client and clinician alike.
--James L. Rebeta, Ph.D., President, Manhattan
Psychological Association, Assistant Professor of Psychology in
Clinical Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell
University
"Terminating Therapy provides a thoughtful and
comprehensive discussion of the many issues involved in
termination. It addresses underlying principles and concrete
actions in a way that will be consistently helpful to practicing
clinicians. This is the single best source I have seen on the
subject of termination."
--Steven D. Hollon, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology,
Vanderbilt University
Professional Guide for Ending on a Positive Note. In this book she
addresses the confusion that exists in this area of professional
practice in a very productive way, clarifying it in fashion that
offers guidance that is ethical, legal and in the best interests of
both the patient and the therapist. Her common sense approach to
termination issues is refreshing and makes this book a must read
for all mental health professionals regardless of their
specialty."
--Jeffrey N. Younggren, Ph.D., Risk Management
Consultant, American Psychological Association Insurance Trust
Denise Davis' review of the process of termination grounds the
reader in practical fundamentals of initiating, framing and
maintaining treatment as she consistently focuses on the needs,
goals and progress of clients, yet never overlooks the at times
knotty concerns of clinicians striving to deliver safe and ethical
service that reflects best practices and evidence-based
accountability. With sensitivity, Denise Davis provides a helpful
compilation of practical pitfalls that might befall any therapeutic
alliance. This work is a "must-read" clinical treasure...
Davis' work clearly fills a gap in the literature to enrich
client and clinician alike.
--James L. Rebeta, Ph.D., President, Manhattan
Psychological Association, Assistant Professor of Psychology in
Clinical Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell
University
"Terminating Therapy provides a thoughtful and
comprehensive discussion of the many issues involved in
termination. It addresses underlying principles and concrete
actions in a way that will be consistently helpful to practicing
clinicians. This is the single best source I have seen on the
subject of termination."
--Steven D. Hollon, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology,
Vanderbilt University
Denise D. Davis is Assistant Director of Clinical Training for the doctoral pro-gram in Clinical Psychology at Vanderbilt University. She has nearly twenty-five years of experience as a private practitioner, clinical educator, and consultant.
