Question

What is a reason why someone might drop out of therapy (even if they really need it), and what advice might you offer them if you were trying to get them to stay in therapy?

Answer 1

Therapists often find their clients reaching out to them through emails and calls about cancelling appointments. Some just never turn up. There are umpteen reasons for a client to drop out of therapy or to carry out premature termination, even if they really need it.

Sometimes individuals have a subconscious resistance about not seeking help from a therapist or a counselor. This can be resolved if the therapist reassures the client, builds trust within the client, continuously comforts the client and makes sure they are not scared of the unknown.

Misunderstanding or miscommunication, is one of the other reasons for a client to drop out. Clients may not quite like the therapist and may find them intimidating and threatening and thus, they instead just choose to terminate their therapy. It is important for a therapist to be understanding and empathetic towards the client, this will help the client to feel more secure and safe in the hands of the therapist and will continue to go through the therapy sessions.

Inability to afford, is a common issue why clients often drop out of therapy. With the growing expenses and needs, not everybody can afford therapy. Therapy tends to come under the list of 'non-essentials'. Individuals do not consider it to be important. The only way a therapist can help the client to not drop out, is by cutting down his/her fees and make it affordable for the client. Yes, this principle cannot be applied to every situation, however, if the client really needs it and if it brings about changes in his life, then why not?

Getting nothing out of therapy, is a feeling because of which clients may often drop out. They feel like they don't know what are they getting out of it and where is it going. That's why they just choose to drop out instead. In the process of therapy and counseling, the therapist must always know how and what the client is feeling. Therapy cannot be just a money making business, it must yield results for the client and he must know what's going on.

The above are a few reasons why someone might drop out of therapy, also how therapists can work on trying to get them to stay.