When Therapy Ends: Ethical Considerations of Terminations and Endings
Friday, October 17, 2025
12:45pm-4pm Eastern Time
Live Interactive Webinar
CE Hours: 3.0 Ethics (see CE Info tab)
Fulfills 3 Ethics CEs - ASWB CEs for Social Workers & NBCC Hours for Professional Counselors
Maryland Social Work Category I Ethics
DC Social Work Ethics Live Face-to-Face Requirement (3 of 6 hours - attend the full day morning/afternoon for 6 hours total)
Ethics Requirements fulfilled for social workers in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming.
Plus more states! Our CEs are accepted in 49+ states for social workers and for most professional counselors as well.
CHECK YOUR STATE to ensure our CEs are accepted!
Discounts Available:
Full Day Discount: Save $10 on the full day when you register for the morning AND afternoon session. Discount applied automatically when both courses are added to your cart.
Group Discount: $59 per person for Groups of 3+ REGISTER YOUR GROUP HERE
About This Course
All therapeutic relationships come to an end, but exactly how should that happen? Ending a therapeutic relationship can be just as critical as the work done throughout treatment. But how do clinicians navigate this process ethically while avoiding client abandonment? Join experienced presenter Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, as she explores best practices for ethical termination, ensuring clients receive the closure they need.
This engaging workshop will help clinicians distinguish between ethical termination and unethical abandonment from an NASW ethical perspective. Through case studies, guided discussions, and practical strategies, participants will gain clarity on when and how to end treatment responsibly. You’ll also explore the emotional impact of termination on both clients and clinicians and review strategies to reduce premature termination rates.
By the end of this training, you’ll feel more confident and prepared to facilitate ethical terminations, protect client well-being, and uphold professional standards.
Presenter
Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field. She has held clinical positions as an outpatient and in-home therapist and clinical supervisor. Diane was an Adjunct Professor of Social Work for 10 years at The University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare and a Field Liaison and Field Instructor. She has also held administrative positions as a program Director and Coordinator. Diane is a popular local and national trainer on a wide variety of mental health and workplace development topics for clinicians and corporations. Diane is most passionate about providing quality professional development to clinicians, employees, and leaders. For fun, Diane loves to spoil her four Dachshunds and rock out to 80’s music.
Training Objectives
After attending this training, participants will be able to...
Identify and classify ethical responsibilities of therapeutic termination with clients.
Describe examples of unethical abandonment and distinguish from ethical termination.
Discover methods of engaging in ethical termination practices and minimizing unethical abandonment of clients.
Target Audience
Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Psychologists, Addictions Counselors, other mental health professionals
Content Level
Beginner to Intermediate
