Finishing well: The personal impact of ending therapy on speech-language pathologists

Abstract

This paper is the final response in a scientific forum examining the impact of ending therapy on speech-language pathologists. The lead paper explored how speech-language pathologists juggle the tensions of coping with real versus ideal endings, of managing the building of close therapeutic relationships which then have to be broken, and of balancing a respect for client autonomy while retaining control over caseloads and fair allocation of resources. The nine respondents in this scientific forum, representing a range of clinical, research, cultural and geographical contexts, have highlighted their concerns, insights and suggestions in relation to discharge practice. In this closing section, I suggest that this scientific forum has the potential to act as a catalyst towards positive change. My reasons for this are threefold, relating to raising awareness, acknowledging the personal impact, and developing or promoting strategies for successful discharge experiences.

Keywords:

• Ending therapy
• discharge practice
• speech-language pathology

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank all the authors who have contributed so generously to this forum, and also the editor of IJSLP, Professor Sharynne McLeod, for making the space available to explore the issue of ending therapy in depth.