Ending counseling

LegacyUser

I've been going to counseling since early in the year and it has been very helpful to deal with some of my bigger issues. However I feel it's starting to get to the point where the benefits don't outweigh the time and money involved. I think anyone could go to counseling indefinitely (because there's always going to be room for improvement!) however I just won't be able to afford it in the long term. So I think I'm going to have to put an end to it in the near future.

However I'm not sure how to go about it! It feels a little like a break up :P My options seem to be:

1. Face to face at the end of a session. But during each session the counselor will often tell me things to look out for (certain behaviours/thoughts) and that we'll discuss it the next time. And at the end of each session she asks if I'll be there next week. So it would seem a little odd if I agreed to do stuff during the session and then at the end was like 'eh actually I won't be coming again'.

2. At the start of a session. But would that just make the remainder of the session very odd?!

3. Mention it at the start of a session that I can only afford to go for a few more weeks... at least that way she has a bit of forewarning and we can focus on 'wrapping things up'.

4. Do it by email/text. This would obviously be by far the easiest option, but seems a bit cold (especially if I've told her a couple of days before that I'll see her the following week). But at the end of the day it's a professional relationship, so maybe it's ok?

I'd really appreciate hearing from other people who have ended counseling and how they went about it!! I'll be missing two back to back sessions at the end of September and the beginning of October anyway, so I think I'd probably like to just call it quits then...

zoobizoo

Number 3.

Speak with them and see what they say.

If it's a cost thing they may offer a discount or suggest you go every other week.

While it is professional service, it is also very personal and I think that you'll be happier if you do it in person.

Another day

Zoobizoo is correct. I am just coming to the end of mine and when I said it to my counsellor he said they like to do a 'wrap up'. Don't just walk an an annouce this is my last session. Let them know you feel you have got what you need..for now. Do go for the last session as I think you will be given coping skills and also acknowledgement as to how far you have come.

Best of luck!

LegacyUser

Thanks for the advice guys! I went with option number 3 and told her in person today near the beginning of the session. Probably a good thing too, because she 'requires' people to attend for at least one more session after informing her (so by email/text would've been super awkward having to go back!!).

SATSUMA

Ending therapy "correctly" is actually a really important part of therapy! There is usually a longer wind down than one session.