The Therapeutic Potential for Growth During the Termination Process

The authors explore the potential for growth through the termination process via a case study of a 15-year-old inner city girl who was being treated in a psychiatric day treatment center at a municipal hospital. The client was diagnosed as having a schizo-affective disorder and had a history of suicidal ideation and three psychiatric hospitalizations. Through the termination process she was able to maintain, consolidate, and integrate the growth she had made during the earlier stages of the treatment process. The authors also explore the particular dynamics of forced termination within the context of a day treatment setting.