Termination notes document the planned or unplanned ending of therapy. They capture the treatment summary, progress, the termination discussion with the client, and recommendations for continued care.
Part of our therapy notes templates collection.
Client Name: Date: Reason for Termination: Treatment Summary: Number of Sessions: Client Progress: Termination Discussion: Client Response to Termination: Remaining Concerns: Risk Assessment: Referrals: Recommendations: Follow-Up Plan:
Client: Sarah K.
Date: April 2, 2026
Reason: Client achieved treatment goals
Treatment Summary
Client attended 20 sessions over 5 months. Treatment focused on depression management using behavioral activation and cognitive restructuring. Client demonstrated consistent engagement and completed between-session assignments.
Client Progress
Client reports significant improvement in mood, energy, and daily functioning. PHQ-9 score decreased from 18 (moderately severe) at intake to 5 (mild) at termination. Client successfully reengaged with social activities and returned to regular exercise routine.
Termination Discussion
Discussed readiness for termination over the past two sessions. Reviewed skills learned and strategies for maintaining progress. Client expressed confidence in ability to manage symptoms independently. Discussed warning signs that would indicate a need to return to therapy.
Client Response to Termination
Client expressed gratitude for treatment and confidence in managing independently. Some sadness about ending noted, which was normalized and processed.
Recommendations
Continue behavioral activation strategies. Maintain social connections and exercise routine. Monitor mood using self-rating scales. Return to therapy if symptoms increase significantly or persist for more than two weeks.
Follow-Up Plan
Client may schedule a check-in session in 3 months if desired. Client has contact information for scheduling if needed sooner.
These terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they can serve different purposes:
Termination Notes
Focus on the ending of the therapeutic relationship
Document the termination discussion with the client
Capture the client's response to ending therapy
Address the emotional and relational aspects of ending
Discharge Notes
Focus on clinical summary of treatment
Document treatment outcomes and progress
Provide comprehensive treatment review
Emphasize recommendations and follow-up
See our discharge note template for a treatment-summary focused format.
Planned Termination
Client has met treatment goals. Termination is discussed in advance and processed therapeutically. This is the ideal scenario.
Client-Initiated Termination
Client chooses to end therapy — due to scheduling, financial reasons, feeling ready, or other personal factors. Important to document the discussion and any recommendations.
Therapist-Initiated Termination
Therapist ends treatment due to scope of practice, ethical considerations, or clinical appropriateness. Requires careful documentation and referral.
Administrative Termination
Treatment ends due to external factors — insurance exhaustion, program completion, or agency policy. Document circumstances and ensure proper referral.
Planned termination after achieving treatment goals
Client-initiated discontinuation
Therapist-initiated termination (ethical or clinical reasons)
Referral to another provider
Client relocation
End of insurance-authorized sessions
Document the termination discussion with the client
Include the client's response to termination
Summarize treatment and progress clearly
Note any unresolved issues
Provide specific recommendations for continued care
Include follow-up contact information
Not documenting the termination discussion
Missing client response to termination
No progress summary
Failing to address unresolved issues
No follow-up plan or recommendations
AI-assisted documentation can help generate structured notes from brief summaries.
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A therapy termination note documents the planned or unplanned ending of therapy, including a summary of treatment, progress toward goals, the termination discussion, and recommendations for future care.
The terms are often used interchangeably. Some settings use 'discharge' for formal treatment completion and 'termination' specifically for the therapeutic ending process, including the termination discussion with the client.
A termination note should be written at the conclusion of therapy — whether planned (goals met) or unplanned (client discontinuation, relocation, or referral to another provider).
Yes. Documenting the termination discussion — including the client's response, any unresolved concerns, and the plan for follow-up — is considered best practice.
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