Service user experience during termination of mental health services
Title
Service user experience during termination of mental health services
Creator
Cook, Jenny M.
Description
Cook, Jenny M.
Termination is the last step of the therapeutic process and results in the end of the therapeutic relationship between service user and service provider. Though considered an integral component of music therapy and related disciplines, there is a lack of literature dedicated to this process, especially from the service user’s perspective. The purpose of this study was to examine service user perspective regarding the termination process in a mental health setting. A survey was sent to students at a Midwestern liberal arts college. Respondents (n = 51) confirmed that they had received mental health services and that those services had concluded. Results showed that termination was an important element of the therapeutic process according to respondents. Survey respondents were asked whether central tenets of termination were completed as part of their personal experience. According to respondents, discussion of the service user’s feelings was reported as being completed by 58.8% (n = 30) of service users, and discussion of progress was reported as being completed by 51% (n = 26). These two tasks were reported as being completed more than other tenets of termination. Fewer than half of respondents reported the remaining tenets of termination as being completed with discussion of service provider feelings being reported by 29.4% (n = 15) of respondents, reflecting on accomplishments being reported by 46% (n = 23) of respondents, establishing a post-therapy plan being reported by 31.4% (n = 16), and providing resources being reported by 40% (n = 20). Survey results also showed that there is potential for both negative and positive outcomes during the termination process.
Termination is the last step of the therapeutic process and results in the end of the therapeutic relationship between service user and service provider. Though considered an integral component of music therapy and related disciplines, there is a lack of literature dedicated to this process, especially from the service user’s perspective. The purpose of this study was to examine service user perspective regarding the termination process in a mental health setting. A survey was sent to students at a Midwestern liberal arts college. Respondents (n = 51) confirmed that they had received mental health services and that those services had concluded. Results showed that termination was an important element of the therapeutic process according to respondents. Survey respondents were asked whether central tenets of termination were completed as part of their personal experience. According to respondents, discussion of the service user’s feelings was reported as being completed by 58.8% (n = 30) of service users, and discussion of progress was reported as being completed by 51% (n = 26). These two tasks were reported as being completed more than other tenets of termination. Fewer than half of respondents reported the remaining tenets of termination as being completed with discussion of service provider feelings being reported by 29.4% (n = 15) of respondents, reflecting on accomplishments being reported by 46% (n = 23) of respondents, establishing a post-therapy plan being reported by 31.4% (n = 16), and providing resources being reported by 40% (n = 20). Survey results also showed that there is potential for both negative and positive outcomes during the termination process.
Date
2022
Publisher
Alverno College
Extent
30 pages
Language
English
Format
PDF
Type
Text
Culminating Project
Subject
Music therapy
Mental health
Termination
Therapeutic relationship
Therapeutic process
Rights
These materials may be used by individuals and libraries for personal use, research, teaching (including distribution to classes), or for any fair use as defined by U.S. Copyright Law.
Collection
Citation
Cook, Jenny M. , “Service user experience during termination of mental health services,” Alverno College Library Digital Commons, accessed April 29, 2024, https://alverno.omeka.net/items/show/796.