Reasons for Leaving Therapy

There are many types of ways that people leave therapy. Most people leave so that he or she is dodging dealing with the real issues. Some times in an attempt to leave, clients will blame finances. Other clients pretend to feel better when the client knows the otherwise to be true. Some clients achieve the best that he or she can and decide with the therapist to cease sessions. Most clients leave suddenly without much explanation.

It seems contradictory that someone would leave therapy because he or she doesn’t want to address the issues that he or she came to therapy to address, but it’s the main reason why people leave therapy suddenly. Some people are rather scared about the idea that, at times, change requires energy and going into the unknown. Instead of working on a new way of living, the client stops.

Many clients will blame money. While some clients who are not in the best financial shape are able to make arrangements to attend therapy– either through a private practice clinician or at a free clinic, others use it as a convenient excuse to stop. For some people, a sudden job loss or living without an income would deter a search for services, others know that to get through a devastating change, he or she must find a helping professional to listen and encourage change.

A few clients pretend to feel better. Imagine a situation where just as the client is working on a serious issue, he or she tells you that he or she feels better and no longer needs your services. Sometimes change is uncomfortable. It brings a person out of their hard wired habits to a new focus and outlook. A therapeutic relationship relies on honesty. It’s dishonest to end therapy when the client is not feeling their best. Some people find the experience of therapy so uncomfortable that the client leaves suddenly, feigning feeling better.

In my contract, I ask that a client give me two weeks’ notice. This is in the contract for several reasons. First, it’s good to have a good-bye even if it’s tough. It’s a necessary part of ending sessions. It brings closure for both parties. Second, it’s make the person responsible to talk about issues that may be going on with the therapy itself. If the client is having an issue with the type of therapy or the therapist’s recommendations, it can be discussed. It’s possible that the therapist is not a good fit for the client. Third, for some cases, client have been using skills they learned in therapy and managing after resolving the issue that brought the client to therapy in the first place. It’s an achievement to end sessions. Clients leave therapy for a couple of reasons by overall, clients should consider sticking to their contract as far as terminating therapy.

I’ve addressed some reasons why clients leave suddenly. Most people seem to leave serious issues to resolve themselves while being dishonest about what’s driving the termination of therapy. The best way to end therapy is to achieve it and come to the decision with their therapist.