[susannahsays]

Graduated sounds condescending to me.

[koru_kiwi]

Originally Posted by ArtleyWilkins

I would only claim "graduation" from my last therapy experience. The rest were more like extended dropping out of college due to lack of focus or funds. LOL!

like many here, as a client, i don't care for the word 'termination' but do understand the professional association to it and since therapy is a business, guess it's best they stick to the jargon that keep it 'professional'.

also, termination has such a broad meaning and only explains that the therapy relationship has ended, but gives no reason as to why...it could mean the client chose to quit before they were done, or perhaps they did reach their goals, or the therapist quit working with the client for what ever reason, etc. etc. so because of this, i do prefer to use the word 'graduated'. personally, i feel that i have completed the things i wanted to do in therapy and really have no intentions to return. similar to finishing the goals of schooling or training, i like saying that i 'graduated' therapy because it provides the information that i have completed that process and i am done. i would not use that term to mean that a client has ended therapy if they did not feel they have completed what they set out or needed to do.

[MoxieDoxie]

I stopped emailing or journaling my therapist because of the same thing about the pain between sessions. I was so attached and dependent on his attention I felt that was all I was living for. I cut down sessions also. It has taken awhile but I feel free from that burden of need. I am sad as it leave a clear gaping hole that I guess is what causes me problems to begin with. Now I just try to work 7 days a week to be so busy I don’t think or feel about it.

[WishfulThinker66]

Originally Posted by stopdog

Termination is their word for it.......

Granted. This is true; but, it is an academic term used amongst professional peers. This is not something I see ought to be in the layman's lexicon. It doesn't mean we ought to be using it. It is like a doctor using the term "Myocardial infarction" when the rest of the world just says 'heart attack'.

Use the term if you must - especially when one or the other, professional or client, is responsible through their action(s) for the ceasation of services. I don't think 'termination' adequately describes it when two parties disagree on said services though. Termination suggests a rather horrible break-up. Is this always the case? Nope. There are softer ways to describe such a break more adequately. Why can't we simply state that, for whatever reason, it was determined I should seek help elsewhere; or, it was agreed that I would be better off with a different therapist. "Termination" on the otherhand construes anger in my books.

I think there are those who see the term and automatically jump to what may not be the right conclusion.

[piggy momma]

I saw my T today. We talked about everything...about how angry I was with him, how I thought about cancelling today or quitting, and other stuff. It was a really good session. He said he was really proud of me for being so brave and bringing everything up that I did. I’m glad I went. I feel a lot better.

[SlumberKitty]

Piggy_Momma, I'm glad you feel better after seeing your T. That's a good outcome!

[Cheryl27]

Im glad you feel better after seeing your t hugs