It is generally considered unprofessional and unethical for a therapist to suddenly drop all their clients via email without providing a reasonable and valid explanation or conducting closure sessions. Therapists have a duty of care and ethical responsibility to their clients, and abruptly terminating the therapeutic relationship can be harmful and disruptive to the clients' well-being.
There may be legitimate reasons for a therapist to discontinue their practice or leave their current position, such as personal health issues, relocation, or other unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, the therapist should make every effort to handle the situation ethically and responsibly. Here are some considerations for an appropriate course of action:
Advance Notice: If possible, the therapist should give clients ample notice about their impending departure, ideally several weeks or more. This allows clients to process the news, discuss their feelings about the termination, and make arrangements to continue their therapeutic journey with another mental health professional.
Referral Process: The therapist should assist clients in finding an appropriate alternative therapist who can continue their care. Providing referrals to other qualified professionals is a crucial part of ensuring clients have ongoing support and continuity of care.
Closure Sessions: Ideally, the therapist should schedule one or more termination sessions with each client to process feelings about the ending of the therapeutic relationship and to ensure a proper conclusion to the therapeutic process.
In-Person or Telehealth Communication: Whenever possible, termination or closure discussions should be conducted in person or through secure telehealth platforms rather than email. This allows for a more personal and compassionate approach to the process.
Compliance with Ethical Guidelines: The therapist should adhere to ethical guidelines and regulations set forth by their professional licensing board or association regarding client termination and providing appropriate client care during the transition.
Abruptly ending the therapeutic relationship via email without offering any explanation or support can leave clients feeling abandoned, confused, and unsupported during a vulnerable time. If you find yourself in such a situation as a client, it's essential to seek support from other mental health professionals and discuss your feelings and concerns about the abrupt termination.