When to Let Therapy Clients Go
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby is a licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified coach, AAMFT clinical supervisor, host of the Love, Happiness, and Success Podcast and founder of Growing Self.
Today, I want to talk about a subject that sits at the very core of our ethics as therapists — understanding when it is time to give our clients a referral, or to graciously end our work together. Letting a therapy client go can be one of the most difficult parts of being a therapist. But knowing when to let therapy clients go will make you a stronger clinician and, paradoxically, it will keep your work productive, ethical, and compassionate.
If you’d prefer to listen to this topic, I’ve also recorded a podcast episode on it. You can find it on this page, or on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Why Letting Go Matters: Upholding Your Ethical Integrity
The foundation of therapy is trust. Our primary commitment is to our clients’ well-being, in whatever form that takes. Sometimes the most caring choice is to guide them toward resources we cannot provide ourselves.
It takes self-reflection and humility to recognize when working together is no longer serving the client. Yet, making that call is both responsible and ethical. Directing clients to another therapist not only protects them but also creates space for our own professional growth. Knowing when to say goodbye makes us better therapists and strengthens our career satisfaction in the long run.
When Empathy Is Strained
One clear signal that it may be time to let therapy clients go is when empathy becomes difficult.
Therapy cannot be effective without empathy. If we find ourselves struggling to connect or maintain unconditional positive regard, we need to reevaluate. Every client deserves a therapeutic relationship that feels safe, warm, and compassionate. But sometimes our own experiences, histories, and triggers make it impossible to provide that.
Acknowledging those limits is not a failure. Instead, it is an act of integrity. Helping clients transition to a therapist who can fully hold that space for them is often the kindest decision we can make.
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When Safety Becomes a Concern
Therapy must always remain a space of safety and respect. But there are times when a client’s behavior leaves us feeling uneasy, disrespected, or even afraid.
In these moments, addressing safety concerns directly with the client is crucial. Sometimes that conversation leads to greater awareness and repair. Other times, the most appropriate step is to let a therapy client go in order to protect both their well-being and our own.
Remember: therapists are entitled to safety too. Boundaries protect us, and honoring them models healthy relational dynamics for our clients.
When Therapy Is No Longer Therapy
Another common scenario is when therapy stops being therapy.
As clients heal and grow, sessions may shift into casual conversations instead of structured, productive work. While this can feel friendly and enjoyable, it does not serve their long-term goals. In those moments, we have a responsibility to refocus the work or acknowledge that therapy may have run its course.
Sometimes, part of the next step is helping clients build deeper connections outside of therapy. Guiding them to form supportive, emotionally intimate relationships ensures that they don’t rely on their therapist to meet needs best fulfilled in other areas of life.
Other times, the issue is stagnation. A client may remain stuck despite our efforts, and we realize we may not be the right therapist for their next stage of growth. Recognizing this and making a referral allows them to continue moving forward rather than staying in place.
Balancing the Emotional and Practical Realities
The decision to let a client go is not only emotional; it can also feel financially complicated. For therapists in private practice, saying goodbye to a paying client can be daunting. But if financial pressure keeps us holding on to clients we cannot truly help, it’s time to reevaluate our career structure.
Joining a supportive group practice or adjusting our business model can give us the freedom to prioritize ethical, productive client work. Ultimately, maintaining integrity serves both our clients and our professional well-being.
Letting Clients Go With Compassion
Deciding to refer or release a client is never easy. Yet it reflects our deepest commitment to practicing with integrity and care. By letting clients go with compassion, we uphold ethical standards, honor our limitations, and ensure that every person receives the support they truly need.
Letting go does not mean failure. It is often the most loving choice we can make — for our clients and for ourselves.
Next Steps for Growth
If this topic resonates, I’d love for you to explore my Free CEU Training Library for Therapists. It’s full of on-demand trainings to help you strengthen yourself as a clinician and as a human.
If you’d like ongoing support and inspiration, you can also join my newsletter created especially for therapists. It’s a space where I share weekly podcast updates, practical tools for your work, free resources, and encouragement for you in this meaningful — and often demanding — career.
You can also connect with me on LinkedIn to continue this conversation in real time. And most importantly, I’d love to know what’s on your heart. What questions are you carrying? What topics would you like me to unpack in future episodes? Let’s talk — your feedback and ideas are always welcome, and they help shape the conversations we have here together.
xoxo,
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby
P.S. — I have more articles and podcast episodes for therapists and I hope you’ll check them out. I made them for you!
Resources:
Rabinowitz, Y. L., Meyer, R., Regout, S., & Jäger, M. (2025). Termination of psychotherapy: A systematic review. Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome, 28(1), 93–113. https://doi.org/10.1080/28324765.2025.2535626
Westmacott, R., Hunsley, J., Best, M., Rumstein-McKean, O., & Schindler, D. (2010). Client and therapist views of contextual factors related to premature termination. Psychotherapy Research, 20(4), 438–447. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2924572/
Bhatia, A., & Gelso, C. J. (2017). The termination phase: Therapists’ perspective on the therapeutic relationship and outcome. Psychotherapy, 54(3), 241–252. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000128
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