In school counseling, what does the term termination refer to?

In the context of school counseling, termination primarily refers to the process of discharging a student from counseling services when they have achieved their goals or no longer require assistance. This process often includes reviewing the student’s growth and progress to help both the counselor and the student understand the advancements made during counseling. It is critical for both parties to reflect on the journey, ensuring that closure is achieved, and that the skills and strategies learned can be applied moving forward.

Termination is an important phase in counseling as it helps individuals recognize their accomplishments and reinforces their ability to handle future challenges independently. By reviewing growth and progress, counselors can celebrate the student’s achievements and discuss how to maintain or build upon these gains outside of the counseling context. This closure is essential for the student's emotional and psychological well-being, ensuring that they leave the counseling relationship feeling empowered and ready to tackle new challenges.