How To Respond (Or Not) When Your Client Emails After Termination

Oct
25
2010
by Tamara Suttle

[This is part 1 of a 2-part post.]

Fred Theobald from Dallas, Texas wrote in . . . .

After my client and I terminated therapy, she moved out of state.  I received an email from her updating me on her move, her new home, etc.  Is it appropriate for me to respond?”

What a great question, Fred!  Image of Reach OutWe all face this scenario from time to time and it’s important to ask yourself at least two different questions.  The first is “Is it clinically appropriate to respond?”  The second one is “If so, then how do I respond?”

Here are some things for you to consider . . .

Is it appropriate to respond? Perhaps a better question would be to ask “When is it appropriate to respond?”  It is appropriate to respond when it is in your client’s best interest to do so and it is legal and ethical to do so.

We all know that the most important variable in counseling is the relationship between the therapist and the client.  And, because relationships don’t just turn off or on with the flip of a switch, it would be disingenuous to pretend that  terminating a therapeutic relationship with a client doesn’t always happen as neatly as the text books would have us believe. Oftentimes clients desire to maintain some type of connection with their therapists after termination. Your job, in part, is to determine if it is in your client’s best interest to do so.

If you also are tempted to maintain contact with your client after your clinical work is completed, you need to  take time to understand your motivation for doing so.

  • Is this about your need to maintain contact? (If so, it’s time to do some work on your own counter transference.)
  • Is this about your client’s desire to maintain contact?  (And, if so, is it healthy?  Is it legal?  is it ethical?)

Make sure you take time to consult with colleagues or an attorney before acting on your decision.  Once you are certain that it is appropriate to respond, email presents an entirely different dilemma.  In my next post, I’ll address the use of email in your private practice.

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10 More Questions You Must Ask Your Prospective Supervisor

Nov
23
2009
by Tamara Suttle

If you are getting ready to start shopping for a clinical supervisor, here are 10 more questions you need to ask before you invite them to work with you.

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  1. What professional associations are you a member of?
    Don’t assume that they are telling you the truth.  Make sure that you verify their membership through your state licensing board.
  2. How are you involved in these associations?
    Does she hold an office in the organization?  Remember to verify that your prospective supervisor is as involved as she represents herself to be.
    A supervisor who is actually involved in a professional association (rather than just paying her membership dues), is better able to help develop you as a professional in the field.
  3. Why did you choose to join these organizations?
    Was it about the membership fee?  The purpose of the organization?  The benefits of membership?  This can tell you a lot about what is important to your prospective supervisor.
  4. Do you expect me to be involved in a professional association?
    If so, then you will want to know which organization and how involved.
  5. How will you monitor my client’s welfare?
    Your supervisor may monitor you through a one-way mirror, ask you to audio / video record your sessions for review, obtain self-reports from you, contact your clients, etc.  Most clinical supervisors use a variety of methods to monitor client welfare.
  6. How do you insure my compliance with ethical, legal, and professional standards?
    This is a critical task for your supervisor and you want to make sure that she has a solid plan for this to take place.  In doing so, your client as well as you will be protected.
  7. What do you expect of me as your supervisee?
    Yes, your supervisor will have expectations of you and the best way to meet them is to go in informed.  A professional clinical supervisor will have a written contract that stipulates your supervisor’s expectations (as well as your own).  Don’t accept a supervisor who does not have this in place.
  8. What conflicts typically arise between you and your supervisee?
    Everyone has conflicts.  You want a supervisor who is aware of them and comfortable enough to talk about them openly and honestly.
  9. How do you handle conflict when it arises with a supervisee?
    You want to know that your supervisor has basic problem solving skills.
  10. How do you address counter transference between me and my client?
    As a new therapist, it is likely that you may not have much experience dealing with this predictable but sticky issue.  You’ll want a clinical supervisor who doesn’t flinch, judge or shy away from helping you develop skills to deal with issues of transference and counter transference.

Are you finding these questions to be helpful?

These questions came from the Institute in Counselor Supervision taught at the University of North Texas’ Counseling Program by Carolyn W. Kern, Ph.D., LPC, NCC and Cynthia K. Chandler, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT.

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