What is a common client reaction during the termination phase of counseling?

During the termination phase of counseling, it is typical for clients to exhibit varied reactions influenced by their feelings toward the counseling process and the impending end of their relationship with the counselor. Acting out behavior is a common response in this phase, as clients may experience emotions like anxiety, fear, or uncertainty about life after counseling. These reactions often manifest in ways that challenge the therapeutic relationship, including impulsivity or regression in behavior.

The termination phase can evoke feelings of loss, which might lead clients to express their feelings through acting out, as they grapple with the transition and the potential for change outside of the therapeutic setting. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for counselors, as it allows them to provide appropriate support and guidance, facilitating a smoother transition for clients as they prepare to leave counseling and apply what they have learned.

Other client reactions, though they can occur, are less typical during this phase. For example, while defensiveness, apathy, and lack of trust can appear at various stages of the counseling process, during termination, the heightened emotional state related to concluding the therapeutic relationship often leads to more observable behaviors like acting out.