Closure in Counseling
When you begin working with a counselor, they will ask you what your goal(s) are. What would be the best-case scenario? What would be the worst-case scenario when you finish your counseling season? That’s right, counseling is meant for a season. You have a specific point of pain and your goal is to live life differently. I am here to help you take steps in your process and achieve your goal(s).
Counseling work comes to a completion and goals can change. How do you know? Perhaps you are feeling content and the depression has lifted. You have stopped using food or Amazon videos to soothe yourself. Counseling is not meant to engender dependency. Constructive closure leaves you feeling grounded and cared for.
Closure can have the following steps:
Schedule the final appointment to review your successes, insights, and growth edges.
Spend time writing down some of these things before your meeting.
Ask your counselor to do the same, but from their point of view.
Name the specific tools and interventions that were helpful.
Dream about where you see yourself heading.
The final session will be a celebration of all you have accomplished. It honors all involved.
Review your other support systems and emergency options.
Leave the door open for future snags or new work.
Hopefully this process can be the path to a smooth transition to life without your counselor. You can expect to feel a sense of loss and sadness. You have said goodbye to someone very important to you that accepts you as you are and has been cheering you on. Be assured, you will find yourself looking for relationships that are healthier, where you are able to exchange supportive thoughts and actions. You can leave with gratitude that you have a person who’s there for you if you need them again.
