When stopping therapy...?

Question

what happens? i've gone about 5 times in the past 5 or 6 months and i don't want to go any more.

if i just say i want to stop is that it? or will they want me to come back for one time to talk about stopping? how does that work?

thanks

Answer 1

I have needed therapy a few times in my life for different reasons. I have found that when I begin feeling worse after a session it's time to stop, or find another therapist. I never discussed stopping because I refuse to pay to argue why I want to quit something I don't feel is doing anything. Or is no longer helping.  

Answer 2

Don't stop, the only reason why you should stop is when your therapist tells you that you are ready. For the most part when you want to stop is when you need it the most. Crazy how our mind works and how it tells you that you need to stop when you are being helped the most. Believe me, I am back in counseling right now after getting out of an busive relationship, I keep telling myself I want to stop but really I can't because I am being helped the most right now.

Answer 3

Stopping therapy is a personal decision. If you have looked at the pros and cons and think that stopping is best, you just need to tell the therapist. If you don't have an appointment for a while, you can call the office and state that you do not want to continue.

Some thoughts to think about though. Have you resolved the issue that took you to therapy in the first place? If you haven't, would a different therapist be better for you? No where does it state that you need to stay with the first, second, third, or even fourth therapist. You can interview as many as you need to feel comfortable with a therapist. If you are not comfortable with the one you are with consider looking for a new one instead of completely ending therapy. Your current therapist is required by ethics to give you a referral, although many do not.

Another thing to think about is if the original issue is "somewhat" resolved or not a big problem right now, do you have tools, skills, resources to handle it if it happens again?

Also think about other issues in your life - are they a problem that you would like to work on? If so, would working with a therapist help?

With that said, there is no standard procedure. Everyone, both clients and therapists feel differently ending the relationship. If you feel that you were close with the therapist (it does not sound this way) you may want to have a final meeting to have some closure. If you feel that you just wasted about 5 hours or so of your life, you might want to just drop it. Calling to notify them that you are not going back is courtesy but not required.

Best of luck!