Practicum – Client Termination Summary
- For guidance on writing a Client Termination Summary, review pages 693–712 of the Wheeler text in this week’s Learning Resources.
- Identify a client who may be ready to complete therapy.
The Assignment
With the client you selected in mind, address the following in a client termination summary (without violating HIPAA regulations):
- Identifying information of client (i.e., hypothetical name, age, etc.)
- Date initially contacted therapist, date therapy began, duration of therapy, and date therapy will end
- Total number of sessions, including number of missed sessions
- Termination planned or unplanned
- Presenting problem
- Major psychosocial issues
- Types of services rendered (i.e., individual, couple/family therapy, group therapy, etc.)
- Overview of treatment process
- Goal status (goals met, partially met, unmet)
- Treatment limitations (if any)
- Remaining difficulties and/or concerns
- Recommendations
- Follow-up plan (if indicated)
- Instructions for future contact
- Signatures
Required Readings
Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
- Chapter 18, “Psychotherapy With Older Adults” (pp. 625–660)
- Chapter 20, “Termination and Outcome Evaluation” (pp. 693–712)
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
McGuire, J. (2009). Ethical considerations when working with older adults in psychology. Ethics & Behavior, 19(2), 112–128. doi:10.1080/10508420902772702
Swift, J. K., & Greenberg, R. P. (2015). What is premature termination, and why does it occur? In Premature termination in psychotherapy: Strategies for engaging clients and improving outcomes (pp. 11–31). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/14469-002
