I Think I'm Done with Therapy

Have you been going to therapy for a while and wonder if you've gotten everything you can out of it? Are you wondering if you should just end it? Here's some points to consider if you are feeling "done" with therapy.

First, bring this up with your therapist. Usually clients and therapists have this interesting "sixth sense" about when therapy is over. Many times, I make plans to discuss the termination of therapy with a client, when they beat me to the punch, "Do you think I ready to end therapy?"

When either you or your therapist feel ending therapy (also more formally known as termination), your therapist will most likely want to review the goals you set out to achieve at the onset of therapy. Did you achieve them? Are there secondary goals that still need to be worked on? Are you satisfied with what you've accomplished? Your therapist will want to discuss these questions with you as well as look at any other goals you still might want to achieve.

Another point your therapist will want to cover with you is the skills you've acquired to overcome any future problems which might arise. The probability of another problem surfacing is likely and you may not have control over the problem; however, you do have control over how you tackle such problems using the tools you've learned through therapy.

Your therapist may also discuss your level of awareness in recognizing when you might need to return to therapy. Hopefully, you've made enough personal changes to be able to overcome problems and continue learning and growing from the process; however, you may find yourself needing outside assistance again. How will you know? What are the signs? By discussing these questions, you'll have a better grasp of the issue and seek help before you are in crisis.

Finally, the therapist will want to help you process the end of therapy. The therapist/client relationship is unique. You place a high level of trust into a stranger in order to overcome the crises, which brought you to therapy in the first place. Knowing this relationship is coming to an end can be difficult for some. Allowing this process to take place will provide you with the proper closure.

Whatever you do, allow yourself to experience this process. Canceling an appointment with no intention of returning only cheats you out of the opportunity to see how far you've come, what you can still work on independently and the resources available to you.

Is My Problem "Worthy" of Therapy?

I get asked this question all the time. Clients make statements like, "You must hear things SO much worse than my problem," or "You must think I'm crazy for spending money on a problem as insignificant as mine."

If the problem is plaguing you and you're having difficulty overcoming the problem by yourself, then it is worthy of therapy. Therapy isn't limited to people with major mental health disorders or to people who are suicidal. Therapy is for anyone who needs support or an outsider's view of the issue. No problem is significant. If it's bothering you, then it's worth exploring and overcoming.

Someone once told me, "I always thought you had to be crazy to come to therapy. Now I realize you'd have to be crazy not to seek therapy!" Why go through a tough time by yourself? You have the right to have a fulfilling life.

If you feel you aren't satisfied and you're ready to explore avenues to achieve the lifestyle you hope for, then pick up the phone and begin your journey!