The Ultimate Termination: A Dialogue

Authors

  • Danny R. Dixon Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida

Abstract

Whenever therapyends with the death of a client by suicide, the story continues until everyoneinvolved with the client has achieved some level of understanding andacceptance. Never before or since have I had a client who decided to end hislife (and therapy) in such a violent way, with such finality. Two weeks passedbefore I was able to get beyond my own denial, to begin to deal with thisevent. I had to find some way to ask the question for which there is no answer.What better way than to have the client come in for a follow-up session, toconduct a dialogue? My conversation with Henry clearly delineated the fine linebetween denial and acceptance. Understanding is something with which I stillstruggle.Copyright of Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping is the property of ClevelandState University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to alistserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print,download, or email articles for individual use.

Author Biography

Danny R. Dixon, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida

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How to Cite

Dixon, D. R. (2014). The Ultimate Termination: A Dialogue. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 3(3), 27–32. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/508

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Section

General Submissions