Decision Phase Steps
- Evaluation of Goal Completion
- Skills and strategies assessment
- Continue or end therapy
The ultimate goal of therapy is closure. The goal is to help a person understand the way their brain works, and equip them with a model of thought that will help them to make lasting improvements.
When a person is ready to leave therapy, remember that the door doesn’t have to remain closed. A check-in appointment can always be scheduled at a later time or resume therapy if wanted or needed.
Length of Counseling/Therapy
How long a person is in therapy depends on a wide variety of factors, such as the type and severity of the problem, treatment methods and goals as well as the person’s efforts. Some people start counseling/therapy to help with a particularly difficult mental health crisis such as a developmental or life situational crisis, and then stop once that obstacle has been overcome.
Others begin therapy to face a traumatic mental health crisis as a result of abuse, a tragic event or other stressful factors creating a significant emotional shock and remain in therapy longer before reaching their goals. Persons suffering from a clinical mental health crisis, more commonly known as a mental disorder or illness, may require ongoing treatment for a longer duration while a mental health care plan and possibly medication management has proven effective.
» more about Mental Health Crises
Moving Beyond Therapy
For many people, there comes an endpoint to their therapeutic journey. A person may reach a point where they feel like their life is easier, thanks to the skills and strategies they have learned from their therapy. Ideally, a person will end their time in therapy when all of their goals have been met.
Many people return to therapy throughout their lives, as life events bring new challenges. Ideally, the decision to end is one that’s initiated by the person and mutually agreed upon by the person and their therapist. Ending consciously and with intention can be a very powerful and emotional experience, as ending therapy is actually ending a very important relationship.
Managing the Post-Therapy Transition
Previous Step 1 - The Action Phase
During this phase a person will explore their thoughts and feelings as the counselor/therapist helps foster awareness, facilitate insights and works on building the therapeutic relationship. Focusing on behavior change, rehearsal and decision making, the counselor/therapist will work with the person to develop new skills and strategies, while guiding goal setting, modification and evaluation of the process.
» more about the Therapeutic Process Action Phase
