Is your therapist ever going to say, "I think you are finished with therapy, it's time for you to stop now?" There is a small chance that the therapist may be in financial straights and may not be able to easily afford to let you go. Protect yourself against this slim although real possibility by having some measures by which you can determine when to stop therapy. Listed below are 5 simple steps which will help you to determine the end-point of therapy.

1. Be clear as to why you started therapy. It is best to put this in writing with your therapist. You and your therapist should have clear, established goals in mind when you start therapy. If you are in therapy now, then think back to when you started and remember why you went in the first place.

2. Keep a journal. It is best to keep a journal from the beginning of therapy to help you process your therapy sessions. This will also be essential in charting your progress toward the goal that brought you into therapy in the first place. You should keep notes on the positive and negative aspects of each therapy session including; how you felt about the therapist, the therapy session, yourself, and the progress you are making toward your goal.

3. Have progress review sessions with your therapist at pre-determined dates. You should be wary of any therapist who is not willing to schedule a review session. These dates should be mutually agreed upon in the first few sessions. The review session should include a look at your reasons for being in therapy, your progress toward your goal, and your satisfaction with the therapeutic process.

4. Ask your therapist about his or her treatment plan. Your therapist should give you a good idea about what his or her ideas are for reaching your desired therapeutic goal. Do not expect a clear plan of action until after you have seen each other for at least three sessions. Different therapists have different theoretical backgrounds and different approaches to treatment. Ask your therapist directly about the tools that he or she has available to help you reach your goals. Never do anything that is against your moral principles and be sure that you are comfortable with any procedures that the therapist suggests.

5. Have a clear idea in your mind what differences you will notice when it is time to stop therapy. The desired changes in your life are important issues to discuss with your therapist. It is also a good idea to keep a list in your journal of the specific changes which will signal that it is time to stop therapy. Your ideas and goals will most likely change as you progress through therapy, so be ready to be flexible. If you are concerned about when therapy should end, be sure to keep your stopping point clearly in mind. Any therapist who will not discuss a stopping point with you, should be avoided (remember that the answer may not be a simple one).

These five points are important when you are in therapy. You can be direct with your therapist and ask about the number of clients in her or his caseload. If the number is very low then you can also ask about how economic factors are influencing the termination of your therapy (Remember you are just asking, and not implying or accusing). A therapist who is a member of a large referral service or who has a large referral base (as is the case with a long established therapist), is in a better position to tell you that it is time to end therapy because he or she has other clients waiting to take your place. Don't be hesitant to ask your therapist specific questions. Any therapist who refuses to answer your concerns should be avoided. Remember to keep your reasons for going to therapy clearly in mind by following the five points that I have outlined. As a result, therapy will be a more comfortable and productive environment.

Once you think you are ready to stop therapy, then discuss the idea with your therapist several sessions before you actually want to end. He or she may have some suggestions to make the ending process a learning experience in itself. You may want to arrange an agreement with your therapist for your return after an extended period of time for a follow-up appointment to make sure that your progress and growth are continuing.

It is never a good idea to stop therapy abruptly without discussing it first with your therapist. The decision should be a mutual one. You don't have to worry about your therapist being upset or offended. Everyone ends therapy and the whole process can be an extremely important learning experience.