Imposing a Termination Date: An Approach Based on Counterdependency.

Short-term therapy is effective by focusing the therapy and employing an interactive style. However, the imposition of an arbitrary termination date appears to be an overreaction and overcorrection to drawbacks of classical psychotherapy. According to Mann, a proponent of termination dates and short-term therapy, the setting of a termination date forces clients to confront their separation anxiety and to deal with a dependent nature. However, arbitrary termination dates are unbeneficial, unnecessary, and counterproductive in that they provide negative experiences in dealing with arbitrary authority and reinforce cultural prejudices against dependent feelings. To deal with difficulties produced by the arbitrary termination date, Mann excludes clients with strong dependent longings and discourages the client's arguments by taking an authoritative stance. Contrary to other beliefs, most clients gravitate toward short-term therapy, choosing to focus on and talk directly about their presenting problems. (BL)