Page 34 - Part A
P. 34
Counselling Skills
Useful strategies for ending relationships
Terminating a relationship should be done sensitively and with respect. The ending
of a relationship is built into the initial contract because the purpose of a helping
relationship is to reach a point where the client no longer needs the help. A well
thought out plan for ending the relationship should be in place and a period of
distancing is recommended but only if the relationship has been a long one. This
isn’t possible with short term therapy.
Premature endings can be upsetting for both parties. The helper and client can look
back at why the relationship started in the first place and to recap on what progress
has been made but this will be driven by the client and not the counsellor. An
evaluation of progress may take place but only in short term therapy, usually by NHS
counsellors would an evaluation form be used and this is to gauge how much progress
the client has made. This is usually evidence for the existence of the services. Apart
from this, counsellors would not evaluate the relationship as most issues and progress
is determined by the client.
32
