⚖️Ending sessions that run over time

When clients are speaking about something sensitive and the session time runs out, it can often pose a dilemma for therapists. On one hand is the care we have for our clients; on the other, the agreement that the session ends after an hour.

I have previously written about how adhering to time boundaries in therapy can be therapeutic.

There are deeper meanings behind everything clients do. A conscious or unconscious wish for the session to extend beyond its agreed time can have several meanings. Part of the work is to explore moments with curiosity and care.

The other is to end the session on time and this can be communicated both verbally and non-verbally:

• Body language: Gentle movements can act as a precursor to a verbal nudge, indicating that the session is nearing its end.

• Gentle Interruption: If a client starts a new topic toward the end of the session, consider gently interrupting. Let them know that while it is important to hear about their experience, time has run out, and you will return to it in the next session.

How do you close sessions that run over time? I’d love to hear your experiences. Just click ‘reply’ and share.

Until next week,
Suvrita

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