A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON CLIENT DROPOUTS

Abstract Clinicians are often concerned when clients decide to terminate therapy without consulting with them. Earlier understandings have included resistance to treatment, lack of motivation, and cultural and economic factors. Often the assumption is that the treatment failed. This study used clients' perspectives to understand self-termination by exploring clients' predictions of therapy length, decisions related to termination, and changes in expectations across sessions. Four major themes for termination were identified. All participants reported satisfaction with treatment and identified improvements that occurred as a result of their therapy. Clinicians are urged to include client expectations of therapy length when developing treatment plans, and to recognize that clients frequently make informed decisions to end therapy when they have received the help they needed.