Table of Contents
Is it normal for your therapist to be late?
Sometimes, therapists see people for just 30 minutes. If your therapist makes a habit of starting sessions late, this may mean they have too large of a caseload, or poor boundaries surrounding how many clients they can see in one day. The same goes for if your therapist is constantly ending sessions early.
How do you respond to a late client?
If you’re nervous about coming on too strong with a late fee, start with a warning, tell your clients, “I can waive your late cancellation fee this time, but I won’t be able to do it again in the future.” If your client is so late you can no longer accommodate them say, “my calendar is fully booked and unfortunately, I …
How do you gently challenge a client?
Challenging should always be done with empathy, so counselors are encouraged to avoid challenging to meet their needs, instead of the client’s.
- Immediacy.
- Self-Disclosure.
- Reframing.
- Metaphors.
- Interpretation.
- Confrontation.
- Repairing Relationships.
What happens if a client does not show up to therapy?
When a client repeatedly no-shows, a therapist loses time they could spend with other clients. A therapist may also need to terminate therapy with a client who makes unreasonable demands, whose insurance will not pay for therapy, or who otherwise presents practical or logistical concerns.
What happens when a therapist says it’s time to move on?
When a therapist and client agree that it’s time to move on, both may have mixed feelings. The client has formed a trusting and close relationship with the therapist and may have even come to see the therapist as a friend. So it’s important to be warm and supportive, but also to set clear boundaries.
When is it appropriate to terminate a therapy session?
When terminating with a client who has difficulty processing rejection. When terminating with a client because of a poor fit. Therapy should ideally have clear and specific goals. When a client achieves their goals, it may be appropriate to transition them to a new therapist or to terminate therapy altogether.
Can a therapist terminate a client without notice?
Your state licensing board may prohibit terminating therapy with no notice, without a final session, or without referring the client to another therapist. A clear understanding of your ethical duties and your state board’s rules can help you better serve your client and avoid disciplinary procedures.