Client Termination Summary Practicum Paper

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Develop client termination summaries

To prepare:

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