Questionable-to-Unsound Answers: Reconsider Your Choice of Therapist

• My therapist introduced the possibility of ending the therapy because my symptoms seemed to be alleviated.
• My therapist says we have to terminate because he/she is moving to another state/giving up clinical practice/taking another job.
• My therapist proposed we terminate therapy even though my symptoms are not entirely resolved.
• I think termination is indicated, but my therapist thinks we ought to continue, despite the fact that I feel much better.
• As the termination date got closer, my therapist said we didn't need to see each other as often.
• Toward the end of therapy, my therapist began to tell me more about himself/herself and treat me like a colleague.
• I set a termination date, but we decided to move it up/back.
• My therapist arranged for a series of follow-up visits just to make sure I'm really okay.

Dangerous Answers: Beware of This Therapist

• We decided to end the therapy even though my symptoms hadn't changed very much.
• My therapist continued the therapy long after my symptoms were gone.
• My therapist told me very abruptly that we would have to terminate and never explained why.
• I decided somewhat impulsively to stop going to therapy, and my therapist simply accepted my decision without exploration.
• I decided to stop going to therapy, but my therapist insisted that I still needed help/wrote to my parole officer, saying that I shouldn't quit yet/told me that I'd be sorry.
• My therapist stopped seeing me so that we could date each other.
• When we knew therapy was ending, sessions got very informal - we'd see each other over breakfast or walk in the park, trade favorite books, etc.
• As termination got closer, my therapist stopped interpreting and began to give me advice on how to handle my life once therapy was over.
• After we stopped seeing each other as therapist and patient, we became friends.
• We made arrangements to be in touch with each other professionally after therapy was over.

Please be advised that the "Rate Your Psychotherapist" test is only a guideline. I can not stress enough that each individual is different! You, and only you, know if your therapy is working/going to work for you. The Langes Guidelines are here only to encourage you to understand that YOU HAVE RIGHTS. And that it's ultimately YOU who decides who is best to give you the therapy you need.

next: Some Known Triggers That Cause Switching