BJSW Advance Access originally published online on October 3, 2005
British Journal of Social Work 2006 36(4):639-656; doi:10.1093/bjsw/bch253
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End-of-Year Treatment Termination: Responses of Social Work Student Trainees
Nehami Baum, Ph.D., is a lecturer at the School of Social Work at Bar Ilan University. She is an experienced social worker with experience in both public and private practice. Her interests include non-death related loss, men in therapy, treatment termination, and social work students professional identity formation.
Correspondence to Nehami Baum, School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel. E-mail: nehami{at}hotmail.com
This qualitative study of the feelings and concerns of social work student trainees regarding their end-of-year treatment termination paint a picture of great personal distress. As the students see it, the premature termination prevented them from reaching their treatment goals, did not suit the needs of the clients, and raised serious ethical questions. Their feelings included sadness and regret, frustration, and uncertainty about their professional capacities. They expressed concern that clients would not manage on their own, anxiety that the premature separation might harm the clients, and, above all, a great deal of guilt. Recommendations are offered for alleviating students distress and helping them to better cope with it.
Keywords: feelings, student trainees, treatment termination