Terminating Counseling Relationship Paper

Dual relationships and the ethical behavior that revolves around boundaries with clients present a multitude of very complicated situations to counselors where a clearly defined course of action is not always evident. Aside from no accord amongst mental health professionals and boundary issues being unavoidable at times, recognition and prediction of potential benefits or pitfalls correlated with dual relationships can prove to be troublesome as well (Remley & Herlihy, 2010). For most cases, it is best if an outline is used to discern when it is appropriate for a counselor to breach the client-counselor boundary.

Clients who seek therapeutic help/counselling may be in a vulnerable position and feel anxious or depressed. Some people could lately experience great incident that make them feel extremely despair. (Tony Marry p.11) noted that in those periods of time individuals are more susceptible to being abused or emotionally attacked and it can be harder to recognize immoral and unethical practices. For example, when the therapist purposely extend the sessions than is needed to get more money, or is in other than professional relationship with clients. The counsellor offers time, non-judgmental attitude and fully accept clients. Therefore in some cases they may develop strong feelings towards them and perceive the therapist as a wise, powerful figure. However, if a practitioner is a member of a professional organization, it means that they are obliged to

In my opinion the beginning of the counselling session is one of the most important stage of the process, the client will be very nervous and will not fully trust the process they are about to embark on, their unknown journey they will be nervous. The Client may hold back what they are feeling until they have gained the trust of the counsellor, and know they are safe and in a confidential environment.

It is important, during these final stages, that the counsellor and client can resolve any unfinished business and have time to consider the complex feelings about endings. According to Dryden and Feltham (1994), ‘a fear of loss may cause some clients to cling on to relationships in life and this will obviously have some bearing on the therapeutic relationship.’ As the counsellor, I need to be aware of what an ending might signify for the client, and for me, and manage these ethically and with the guidance of my supervisor.

James should have started discussing the process of termination at the beginning of the helping relationship because “letting the client know from the intake process and beyond the parameters of the relationship can be affirming, too. A client will less likely interpret the ending of the relationship as something personal, such as you don’t want to meet any more, you no longer like him or her, or you are frustrated with the client’s lack of progress” (Cummins et al., 2012, p.269).

The APA Ethical Principals of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (Section 4.09c) states, "Prior to termination for whatever reason, except where precluded by the patient's or client's conduct, the psychologist discusses the patient's or client's views and needs, provides appropriate predetermination counseling, suggest alternative service providers as appropriate and takes other reasonable steps to facilitate transfer of responsibility to another provider if the patient or client need ones immediately" (American Psychological Association, 1992, pp. 1597-1611).

According to Wester, Trepal, and Myers (2009, p. 91), “well counselors are more likely to produce well clients.” Thus, the mental, physical, and emotional health of the counselors has the ability to affect their clients. ACA (2005) states that “Counselors act to avoid harming their clients”. Moreover, counselors have an ethical obligation to evaluate, address, and improve their wellness when necessary (Wolf, Thompson, Thompson, & Smith-Adcock, 2014). Research shows that higher organizational stress was associated with lower client participation in the treatment program (Landrum, Knight, & Flynn, 2012). In addition, the working alliance between the counselor and the client is diminished due to high stress and burnout (O’Sullivan, 2012). A counselor who experiences burnout may lack empathy, respect, positive feeling, therapeutic gridlock, and or boundary violations (Wallace, Lee, & Lee, 2010). Therefore, it is vital for counselors to remediate their impairments when they occur. Counselors have to be aware of the signs and symptoms related to their own mental or emotional problems (ACA, 2005). Likewise, counselors should build resiliency against burnout. Resiliency is built by a continuation of healthy decision making (Wester, Trepal, & Myers, 2009). Counselors should seek help or assistance when they observe warning signs of personal impairment, not just for themselves, but for the wellbeing of

During the film Antwone Fisher (Black, Haines, & Washington, 2002) the therapist who worked with Antwone seemed to have Antwone’s best interest at heart, but still managed to violate some ethical codes. One of the first violations that I noticed was when he tried to terminate therapy with Antwone after only three sessions. Whereas he initially informed Antwone that he was only required to see him for three sessions, as the sessions progressed it seemed obvious to me that Antwone may need more, and even asked to come back for a fourth session. According to the 2014 American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, A. 11.c. Appropriate Termination, “Counselors terminate a counseling relationship when it becomes reasonably apparent that the client no longer needs assistance, is not likely to benefit, or is being harmed by continued counseling.” I think that the therapist trying to terminate therapy with Antwone after three sessions was an obvious violation of this ethics code as it was not in Antwone’s best interest, especially given how much distress it caused him.

Within the contract such things as the type of counselling being offered, number of sessions, the frequency of sessions, timing of sessions, length of sessions, payment and confidentiality should be discussed and agreed to by both the

More than one counselor worked the case; the previous counselor is no longer with the agency.

Counseling is a relatively young profession when compared to other mental health professions. In my brief personal and professional experience with the field, I have come to define counseling as a process of engagement between two people, both of whom are bound to change through a collaborative process that involves both the therapist and the client in co-constructing solutions to concerns.

Marring is a lifelong commitment between a man and women, therefore couples should be required to attend six months of marital counseling before getting a divorce. Couples should be required to attend six months of marital counseling before getting a divorce because it could possibly help to save their marriage, offers professional guidance and advice with the underlining issue which caused the couple to want to get a divorce, and provides the couple with closure on their decision. First, a couple should be required to attend marital counseling because it could possibly save their marriage. Most people are getting divorced because their better half changed. For example, when the couple was married, they were both in perfect

I believe this first step is vital in creating that relationship with the client while providing a foundation to get help the client get closer to achieving their goals. I believe that in order to have a successful session using the counseling process the client needs to be comfortable. Creating that sense of comfort and trust is key to having a good session. The relationship between my client and myself is built on trust and confidentiality. Developing a positive relationship with my client will help to create a free, non-judgement and well balance environment.

One of the first things that need to be clarified is if the client’s talkativeness is normal. That is, do they always speak in a rushed or frenzied manner? If not, there may be an underlying reason for their hurried speech and it may be in the best interest of the client to allow them to continue. If yes, there are different approaches that a counselor can take to slow down their client, but we must be mindful that, depending on the contextual situation these approaches “can either be productive or detrimental to the progress of therapy” (Cormier, Nurius, & Osborn, 2009, p. 64). Just like ethics, the approach you use will be determined by the proverbial “It depends”.

Frequently, a therapist is faced with the challenge of how to restrain the client from terminating the therapeutic relationship prematurely until real progress has been made in the