TRABAJO PRÁCTICO N°3

Abigail Fagan

The decision to end therapy seems to be a triumph. In reality, it’s often bittersweet. It’s a mark of growth,
progress, and change, yet it also requires stopping or suspending a meaningful relationship. It can be hard
to determine the moment for that change.
Of course, some situations are obvious. If a therapist doesn’t have the relevant expertise, or exhibits any red
flags, the decision to separate will be easy. But for those people who have worked with their therapist for
months or years, experiencing setbacks and successes along the way, the decision will be more
complicated.
Here’s how to identify when to terminate therapy and how to discuss the topic with your therapist.
How to View the End of Therapy
Ending therapy can be seen as a kind of celebration - it signals that you have developed the ability to handle
life’s challenges. Therapists view it that way too, so the topic doesn’t have to feel taboo or like you’re
disappointing them. “You have been working toward this, and it’s something to be proud of,” says
therapist Stephanie Sarkis. “When people don’t need to come in anymore, that’s a happy day for us.”
It can also be reassuring to remember that therapists are experienced in this domain. They are trained to
handle the termination of therapy and have had this conversation dozens of times before.
Signs You May Be Ready to End Therapy
1. You accomplished the goals that you set when you began. For example, let’s say a client with ADHD came
to therapy because they were struggling to function at work. Perhaps they developed coping skills, found
a different job, or obtained medication, and work has now gone smoothly for a while. Or if a patient sought
therapy due to social anxiety, and they eventually find themselves going to parties without dread, or even
enjoying social gatherings, those accomplishments may signal that they’re ready to stop therapy.
2. You’ve reached a plateau. Patients should ideally be gaining new insight or implementing new changes
throughout therapy. That process may eventually seem to stop. Perhaps a patient came to therapy due to a
history of abuse and unhealthy adult relationships. As they unpack their childhood experiences and begin to
develop healthy, stable relationships, they may reach a plateau.
3. You don’t have anything to talk about or you are repeating the same stories repeatedly, says
therapist Josh Gressel. This lack of progress needs exploration.
4. Your necessities have changed throughout the course of therapy. In this case, your therapist is no longer
the best person to help you. For example, if a patient began therapy to explore relationship challenges, and
later began the process of adoption, they may want to seek out a professional who specializes in adoption.
These signs can help you identify that it may be time to end therapy. But it’s also important to be aware of
signs that you should continue, Gressel explains. For example, if you want to leave because you’re avoiding
a difficult or uncomfortable topic, or if you receive pushback from your therapist, you should reconsider. Says
Gressel: “Ask yourself honestly: Am I really ready to finish?”
The Door Is Always Open
Making progress doesn’t have to mean that you end therapy for good. Some therapists change their client’s
schedule from once a week to every other week. Some therapists suggest meeting once a month or once
every few months, for what are sometimes called maintenance sessions. Most therapists will make sure to
say that you’re welcome to return at any point, whether it’s for a single session or regular sessions.
Remember that it’s normal to feel conflicted. “It’s a relationship that’s ending, so you should expect mixed
emotions,” Gressel says. “That doesn’t mean you’re making the wrong decision. It just means you’re human.”
Your therapist can help you process those feelings. “It can be a celebration of growth,” Sarkis says. “Parting
is a sign of growth, but it’s still OK if you need to talk to someone. The door is always open.”

Retrieved and adapted from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/therapy/4-signs-its-time-end-

therapy?eml.

SECTION A

At university, you are analyzing different articles about Psychology topics written
for the general public. Prior to your group’s meeting you are preparing the
material that you have been assigned. This week you are reading about one aspect
of therapy treatments.

A.1 Before reading it, apply the pre-reading strategies developed in the first
points of the previous Trabajos Prácticos. Find and analyze: visual (non-linguistic)
items,type of text, source, author, date of publication, transparent and repeated
words, etc.

A.2 Reflect about the following: In our opinion, when is the correct time to end
therapy? Can you think of any signs of this moment? Then read the text and see if
any of your ideas are mentioned.

A.3 Read the text again and complete the following notes in Spanish:
NOTES:
Decisión finalizar terapia: (Descripción)
•
•
•
•
•
Finalización terapia = celebración. Razón/es?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…
Finalización terapia: Percepción terapeutas
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…
Signos que indican persona está lista para finalizar la terapia:
1.
Ejemplo:
2.
Ejemplo:
3.
Ejemplo:
Opciones en la modalidad de finalización: ………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…
Sentimientos del paciente y rol del terapeuta: ……………………………………………...
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…
A4. What do you think about the content of the article? Do you agree with the four
signs related to ending therapy? Would you mention another one/s?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

SECTION B

In the clauses that make up a text we can recognize participants (Actor, Goal, Sensor,
Sayer, etc.),processes (material, mental, verbal, etc.) and circumstances of the processes
(location, manner, means, etc.)
Processes are realized though verb groups.

B.1. Read the PPT Verbs Tenses Summary in Material Extra.

B.2. Do the verb groups (underlined and in bold) in the text refer to the past,
present or future?

Past Present Future

B.3. ¿What verb tense is mainly used in this article? Why?

……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

Material diseñado por Mg. Candela Pérez Albizu para la Cátedra Capacitación en Idioma Inglés 1, FAHCE, UNLP