Before You Go, Don't Skip the Final Session

A final session, sometimes called a termination session, is exactly what it sounds like: the last session a therapist and client have together before therapy ends.

In my experience, some parents choose to skip this session, often because their child is doing well and no longer seems to need therapy. While it makes sense for therapy to slow down or come to an end once a child has made significant progress, a final session is still an important part of the therapeutic process. Read on to find out why it matters.

A final session gives space to acknowledge and celebrate your child’s progress. Just because it is called play therapy does not mean your child was “just playing.” Play therapy is hard work! Sessions are designed to be a safe space where children are gently challenged and supported as they move toward their emotional edge. They are building insight, practicing new ways of coping, and working through difficult experiences. Just as we celebrate a child’s school graduation, the end of a sports season, or the closing night of a theater production, a final therapy session honors the time, energy, and emotional work your child has invested in the process.

Planning for a final session also creates an opportunity to reflect on whether your child is truly ready to end therapy. Sometimes a parent may notice meaningful improvement at home or school, while the therapist may still see themes in sessions that suggest more work remains. Checking in with your child’s therapist before ending treatment can help ensure your child has gained as much as possible from the experience before moving on.

Finally, a final session offers children a healthy model for how relationships can evolve. Many children who come to therapy have experienced relationships that changed suddenly or ended without closure. This may include parents divorcing, changing schools, the death of a loved one, or other unexpected losses. A planned last session communicates that relationships matter, and that endings can be thoughtful, intentional, and caring rather than abrupt and confusing. It also gives children a positive template of how to navigate changing relationships in a healthy way as they grow.

Before deciding that your child is done with therapy, I encourage you to connect with your child’s therapist. Together, you can determine whether this is the right time to end and plan a final session that honors your child’s growth and brings meaningful closure to their therapeutic journey.