You are about to terminate with a client at your practicum site as your contract is ending. Over the year, you have developed good rapport with this client, and there has been improvement in the client's challenges. Last week, you reminded your client that your last session would be in two weeks. Since then, your client has missed a session and has not returned any of your phone calls. During this week's session, your client was quite angry with you over a trivial matter that had never bothered her in the past. She states that "going to therapy has been a waste of time". These behaviors are quite out of character for her. What might be going on?
A) The client believes that the sessions have been a waste of time as little progress has been made.
B) The client is experiencing negative feelings regarding the ending of the therapeutic relationship.
C) The client is ill, which is why she missed her session and did not return phone calls.
D) The client has a mental illness, and you cannot take what she says at face value.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client's sudden change in behavior, including missing a session, not returning phone calls, and expressing anger over trivial matters, suggests she is experiencing negative feelings about the ending of the therapeutic relationship. This is a common reaction when clients face termination, especially if they have developed a strong rapport with their therapist and have seen improvement in their challenges.

You Are About to Terminate with a Client at Your