Which statement best reflects ethical termination in therapy?

• A. Ending therapy as soon as the client misses two sessions.
• B. Planned, collaborative ending; arrange referrals, ensure resource access, and provide closure.
• C. Termination should be decided unilaterally by the therapist.
• D. Termination is not part of the therapeutic process.

Answer: (A)

Ethical termination is a planned, collaborative process between therapist and client. It involves agreeing to end when goals are met, when ongoing work is no longer beneficial, or when a referral to another provider is appropriate. The key is to prepare for the ending, arrange referrals and resources the client may need, and provide a thoughtful closure that summarizes progress and strategies to maintain gains.

This approach protects the client by supporting continuity of care, honoring autonomy, and ensuring safety and access to support after therapy ends. It also helps address barriers to ongoing engagement rather than terminating just because sessions are missed. Ending unilaterally by the therapist is inconsistent with ethical practice, and therapy appropriately includes termination as a normal, planned component of the process.