Self-termination from a child guidance center

Fifty-two household interviews were held with families who had self-terminated from a child guidance center. The purpose of these interviews was to determine reasons for self-termination and to measure the effectiveness of the center's program. Findings indicate that the most common reason for self-termination was (1) parents' expectations of therapy were not fulfilled, (2) general dissatisfaction with services, and (3) lack of progress. However, many of the self-terminators rated the center program highly and therefore it was concluded that many self-terminators do not actually reject psychotherapy. Inferences about the causes of self-termination and its alleviation are made.