Management of Planned and Unplanned Termination

Management of Planned and Unplanned Termination
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Although a therapeutic relationship between a social worker and their client is bound to end at some point, nature, and terms under which the relationship ends bear significant consequences and impacts from a social, legal and ethical perspective. According to the National Association of Social Workers (2015), the NASW Social Work Dictionary describes termination as “the conclusion of the social worker-client intervention; a systematic procedure for disengaging the working relationship.” Prior to a planned termination, a therapist is required to follow a six-step process. They include evaluation of progress with regard to goal achievement, working through denial, resistance and illness flight, a discussion pertaining how the patient can anticipate and possibly resolve any future problems and finally, how to obtain supplementary resources to facilitate future needs (National Association of Social Workers, 2015)
There, however, are situations where the relationship may be terminated on an unplanned basis, due on a number of reasons such as mental health issues beyond a therapist’s expertise, the therapist’s unwillingness to proceed with the relationship for credible reasons such as retirement, conflict of interests among others. For this reason, a therapist is recommended to at least hold one final session with the client and make an overall review of the process. Should this be impossible, the NASW explains that a therapist should have a policy that provides for terms under which cases can be routinely closed.

For instance, a therapist may issue the client with an absentia time frame after which they will make an assumption that the individual no longer needs in their services.
The therapist can also assume that the individual is not interested on non-payment basis. However, the NASW code of ethics requires that prior to termination of a relationship for non-payment reasons, the client should not be deemed an imminent danger to self and others, the client be notified of the consequences of non-payment and the financial agreement contract be clarified to the client. Failure to observe these terms is considered a malpractice, resulting in legal consequences on grounds of abandonment. Irrefutably, a skilled therapist should possess great patience, tolerance, selflessness, and professionalism when terminating a relationship with a client. It is, for instance, unethical for a therapist to terminate a relationship with an aim of pursuing a financial, sexual or social relationship with the client (National Association of Social Workers, 2015).

References
National Association of Social Workers. (2015). Termination: Ending the Therapeutic Relationship-Avoiding Abandonment. Retrieved from https://naswcanews.org/termination-ending-the-therapeutic-relationship-avoiding-abandonment/