PREMATURE TERMINATION OF GROUP-THERAPY - A CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE

Premature terminations are an inevitable if complex aspect of any ther apy group, as they are of life. They can be destructive to the life of a group, and damaging to its members. It is possible however, given p roper preparation and thoughtful reflection to make such premature end ings effective. And sometimes, understanding the wish to leave may cha nge potentially premature endings into turning points in a continuing therapy. I tire two clinical events to illustrate these processes. Pre mature terminations are described as part of a continuum of ending tha t include dropouts, early endings, and good-enough terminations.