How to stop therapy: A practical guide

If you are wondering whether it may be time to end therapy, you're not alone. Some individuals in therapy come to the decision that they no longer need counseling or other forms of mental health support. While this is a normal and valid notion, in some cases, you may not be ready to stop therapy despite your feelings to the contrary. Ceasing treatment early may result in therapy abandonment, which involves ending therapy before a patient's needs have been addressed or other treatment arrangements have been made. Choosing to stop therapy can be difficult, but there are ways to ensure the process is efficient and beneficial.  

Ending therapy 

Deciding to end therapy can be challenging for someone who has been receiving consistent support and guidance from a therapist. It may be important to remember that ending therapy is not necessarily negative; it could indicate that progress has been sufficiently made toward your mental health goals. In some cases, the end of therapy may be a positive step forward in your personal development.

Still, approaching this step with caution and consideration is often essential. Stopping treatment before it is complete may lead to significantly poorer outcomes, so it is not a transition that should be taken lightly. Consider discussing the idea of ending therapy with your therapist before coming to a final decision. You may want to talk about your progress and address why you are considering ending therapy.

It could also be important to have a clear plan before ending treatment. This plan will likely include strategies for maintaining progress and managing any issues that may arise in the future. In addition, ending therapy may be a process that is executed gradually. This termination phase can also affect therapy quality, with one study showing the working alliance and real relationship between a client and therapist related positively to overall treatment outcome.

It could be important to offer gratitude to the therapist for their support and to recognize the therapeutic relationship that has been established. Therapists understand the decision to end therapy and can provide support and guidance during the transition period. However, they may also recommend you stay in treatment longer if they have a therapeutic reason for further care. 

Signs it is time to stop therapy 

There are various reasons why one may want to cease therapy. While some may decide to end treatment due to external factors like financial constraints or scheduling conflicts, others may choose to stop due to the progress that has been made. 

One of the signs that it may be time to stop therapy is an improvement in mental health. This can be an important indication that the treatment has been successful in achieving its intended goals. While the timeline for ending therapy may vary, it may be the right time to move on if you feel like you have made significant progress and are ready to apply what you have learned in the real world.

On the other hand, feeling that your mental health has improved can also be a sign that therapy is working. If it's earlier in your therapeutic journey or you have recently touched upon subjects that feel more difficult to discuss, these may be signs you aren’t quite ready to cease treatment. Consider what you discussed in your last session when thoughts of stopping therapy arise and address your feelings with your therapist. 

Improved mental health can manifest in a variety of ways. For example, an individual may experience a decrease in symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions identified at the outset of therapy. With improved mental health, you may also feel more in control of your emotions and thoughts and be better equipped to handle stressful situations. These benefits can lead to increased self-esteem, better relationships, and a more positive outlook on life.

There could be many reasons why therapy comes to an end, and improved mental health is only one of them. Some individuals may feel that they have experienced the therapeutic process and are ready to move on, while others may decide to discontinue therapy for financial or logistical reasons. Whatever the reason, open communication with your therapist may be important to ensure the time is right for a smooth transition out of therapy.

What if progress is not being made?

One of the primary reasons people seek therapy is to improve their mental health and well-being. If progress is not being made in therapy, discussing this with your therapist could be beneficial. It’s possible that the treatment plan needs to be adjusted to better meet your needs. Your therapist may be able to provide reassurance and help you work through any obstacles that might be hindering progress. Being open with your therapist about your concerns may help them adjust accordingly and improve their approach. 

Progress in therapy is rarely immediate, but if you've been attending therapy for a considerable amount of time and haven't noticed a significant change, it could be time to re-evaluate your situation. This may not be a sign that you need to stop therapy but rather a sign you need to consider bringing up your concerns or switching to a new therapist. While it may be possible that your therapist will improve over time, research indicates that the changes may be small.

In many cases, finding the right therapist can be a difficult process. Selecting a mental healthcare professional you feel comfortable being vulnerable around is not always easy. While finding a compatible in-person match may take a significant amount of time, online platforms like BetterHelp give you options to numerous licensed counselors with a variety of treatment approaches. In addition, if you find that your current therapist isn’t working, you can switch anytime you like. Studies show that once you find the right therapist, the likelihood of successful results greatly increases. Switching to online therapy could also help you achieve results. 

How to maintain progress from therapy 

Stopping therapy may not mean that mental health care is no longer necessary. It could be important to continue prioritizing your mental health after ending therapy. This might mean practicing self-care methods like exercise, meditation, proper sleep, and spending time with loved ones. In some cases, it may be beneficial to seek out additional support, such as joining a support group, for example, to help maintain the progress you made in therapy. You could also consider checking in with a therapist from time to time as well.   

When ending therapy, it may be helpful to reflect on the progress you have made, as well as the skills and coping strategies you have gained. Understanding how much work you have done can be empowering and help you continue moving forward. By applying the skills you learned in therapy in your daily life, you may achieve further growth and stability. 

Making the switch to online therapy 

If you want to continue treatment but are ready to stop in-person therapy, online therapy can provide numerous benefits. If you’ve experienced challenges with in-person treatment, attending therapy in a remote setting may offer a more comfortable or effective way to receive counseling. Online therapy also allows you to speak to a licensed counselor from the comfort of your own home. If you are experiencing mental health conditions such as anxiety, eating disorders, or depression, an online therapeutic setting could make it easier to embrace the treatment process and be vulnerable with your treatment provider. 

One study showed that online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) positively affected the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Researchers discovered that those who engaged in online CBT experienced a significant reduction in mental health symptoms over time. This research could indicate that online therapy is a viable alternative to in-person treatment and may provide comparable results.