Termination in integrated primary care behavioral health.

Abstract

Termination with patients in integrated primary care behavioral health (IPCBH) is driven by elements that are present in other psychotherapies but more strongly emphasized under the primary care model. All treatments are, by design, time limited, and require transparent communication and almost immediate preparation for termination. Because treatment occurs within a primary care relationship, however, termination conveys a different message than it does in other settings-the conclusion of an episode, but not of a treatment relationship. As with primary care for medical conditions, the expectation is that the patient may return to treatment in the future to address new problems or recurrence of the previously treated condition, possibly making the brevity of treatment episodes more acceptable. This article discusses the process of termination in IPCBH and indicates with a case example how conversations around termination evolve throughout the brief treatment process. Suggestions for addressing termination in IPCBH are adapted from the literature on termination in more traditional psychotherapies. There is currently no published research on termination in the IPCBH setting, and research is needed to clarify how termination discussions affect treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. As IPCBH models become more common, the meaning of termination in psychotherapy may change, with decreasing emphasis on the dyadic relationship of an individual therapist and patient. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).