Finishing well: The personal impact of ending therapy on speech-language pathologists

This paper is the final response in a scientific forum examining the impact of ending therapy on speech-language pathologists. The lead paper explored how speech-language pathologists juggle the tensions of coping with real versus ideal endings, of managing the building of close therapeutic relationships which then have to be broken, and of balancing a respect for client autonomy while retaining control over caseloads and fair allocation of resources. The nine respondents in this scientific forum, representing a range of clinical, research, cultural and geographical contexts, have highlighted their concerns, insights and suggestions in relation to discharge practice. In this closing section, I suggest that this scientific forum has the potential to act as a catalyst towards positive change. My reasons for this are threefold, relating to raising awareness, acknowledging the personal impact, and developing or promoting strategies for successful discharge experiences.