Library · Domain 3. Treatment Planning & Continuity of Care · 3B. Continuity of Care
Task 3B.9
Agreeing on termination criteria
“Collaborate with client to determine counseling termination criteria” (NBCC, 2027 task 3B.9)
Termination works best when client and counselor have agreed in advance what success looks like and how they will know it is time to end. Setting criteria early makes ending a planned, positive phase of treatment. The exam tests appropriate termination and how to avoid abandonment.
Key points
- Discuss termination criteria early, linked to treatment goals: for example, specific score ranges, behaviors or functional milestones.
- Appropriate reasons to terminate include goals met, the client no longer benefiting, the client choosing to end, or a need for different services; the ACA Code also permits termination when a counselor is in danger of harm from the client or someone close to them, or when fees are not paid as agreed.
- Provide pre-termination counseling and recommend other providers when needed (ACA A.11.c).
- Abandonment, ending without adequate notice or arrangements when the client still needs care, is unethical.
- Plan the final phase: review progress, address feelings about ending, plan maintenance, and discuss how to return if needed.
- Clients may have strong reactions to ending, especially those with histories of loss; give enough time to process them.
- Document the termination process and the reason.
In practice
In the second session, a client and counselor agree that counseling will end when his panic attacks have stopped for two months and he has driven on the highway on his own. When both are met, they plan two final sessions to review and say goodbye.
A client says she wants to stop counseling, although her goals are only partly met. The counselor respects her decision, reviews what has helped, suggests resources, and invites her to return in the future.
Check yourself
Why agree on termination criteria early in treatment?
Clear criteria make termination a planned, collaborative step and give a shared definition of success.
What is client abandonment?
Ending services without adequate notice or arrangements when the client still needs care.
Name two appropriate reasons for termination.
The client has met their goals, or the client is no longer benefiting from counseling, among others.
NBCC's knowledge and skills for 3B. Continuity of Care
Knowledge of: Levels of care; Professional wills; Community partner/resources; Release of information (ROI) protocols and requirements; Wraparound services; Stages of change; Discharge practices; Proper termination protocols.
Skill in: Establishing contact with community resources; Applying relapse prevention strategies; Evaluating readiness for discharge.
A study guide written by ExamDragon from NBCC's published task; not NBCC material and not part of the exam.