Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Therapist Development Center Practice Exam

When a client becomes tearful about ending therapy after meeting their goals, how should the social worker respond?

1. A. Validate the client's feelings and continue therapy

2. B. Dismiss the concerns to encourage termination

3. C. Normalize the feelings and decrease therapy sessions gradually

4. D. Schedule one final session to conclude therapy

The correct answer is: C. Normalize the feelings and decrease therapy sessions gradually

When a client expresses emotional distress about ending therapy, it is important for the social worker to acknowledge and validate those feelings. Normalizing the client's emotions helps them understand that it is common to feel sadness or grief when therapeutic relationships come to a close, especially after achieving important goals. This approach fosters a supportive environment and encourages open communication about the client's emotions regarding termination. Gradually decreasing the frequency of therapy sessions can also provide the client with the opportunity to process their feelings of loss and transition. This allows for a smoother ending and helps the client feel more prepared to face challenges on their own while still having support during the adjustment period. By taking this approach, the social worker emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and respects the client's emotional journey. Scheduling one final session, as mentioned in another option, might also serve a good purpose; however, it does not emphasize the normalizing and gradual transitioning aspects that can be more beneficial for the client’s emotional processing at the end of therapy. Overall, the chosen response supports the client’s needs while facilitating an acknowledged and healthy conclusion to their therapeutic journey.