Have You Thought About Retirement?
Part Two of Two: Clinical and Emotional Considerations
By Barbara Griswold, LMFT (February 24, 2025)
Have you thought about retiring? As some of you know, I stopped seeing clients several years ago, so many of you are asking questions about my experience and my thoughts about that process.
If you missed my first article on this topic which focused on the practical steps of retiring, you can find it HERE. Today’s article will focus on the clinical and emotional side of retiring
First, be sure this is a step you are emotionally ready to take. Since retiring from seeing clients, I have LOVED not being tied to a daily client schedule, LOVED not having to deal with the stress of client problems, and LOVED not having to do documentation or billing. I have LOVED sleeping in every morning, and being able to slow down a bit. However, I LOVED being a therapist, and it was a significant part of my identity and self-esteem for over 40 years. I do miss engaging with interesting clients, the daily creative problem-solving involved in helping them, and the deep connections formed with them. I also miss the community of therapists I was part of.
But while there were certainly some losses, for me it was the right thing to do. Just know that conflicting emotions are normal, also. Process your emotions about retirement in your own therapy, if needed, before talking to clients.
Give yourself the gift of consulting with another therapist. Before talking with clients, I met with a colleague and discussed each client and how to handle possible issues I was afraid would come up with each of them when ending. Document these consultations.
Prepare to feel some guilt. It is normal to feel guilty about retiring, especially when clients depend on you. You may worry that your retirement will increase their anxiety, depression, or trauma, or cause them to relapse. Client symptoms might escalate after you announce your retirement. As caregivers, it’s hard to prioritize self-care over clients’ needs. Feel as positive as possible about your decision to retire before talking to clients. It’s OK to feel a bit guilty, and for your clients to have whatever feelings they have, but maintain your boundaries and don’t let these emotions change your decision. Your role is to help clients cope with this change, not to rescue them.
Can you just reduce your practice, and stop seeing some clients? I did not choose this approach because of concerns that clients I stopped seeing would learn I was still working with others. If you decide on this course of action, I feel it would be important to be honest and transparent. However, transparency would involve informing some clients that you are discontinuing their sessions while continuing with others, which could result in feelings of rejection, something I wasn’t comfortable with.
Should you stop taking new clients or set a firm end date? I stopped taking new clients LONG before stopping completely, expecting my caseload to drop to zero in 6 months. It didn’t. Two years later, some clients were still coming regularly and others wanted to return. My advice: set a firm end date.
How much notice should you give clients? There is no right answer here. I would consider how long you’ve been seeing the client, the type of treatment you provide, and how you feel the client will react to the ending. I recommend a minimum of three months’ notice. This gives clients time to process their feelings with you and to find a new therapist, if necessary.
Should you inform inactive clients? I chose not to, but it’s an option. I was unsure how far back to go or who to inform, and I didn’t want former clients booking appointments just before I closed my doors.
Is it OK to notify clients via email or text? Not unless you have no other option. Notify clients of your retirement in person or by phone, and record their reactions in your session notes. Follow up with a letter or email confirming your retirement date and reminding them you will discuss therapy options and referrals in future sessions.
What should you say to your clients? A simple, direct approach works best. Mention it at the start of the session to allow time for discussion and avoid interruptions. You can say, “I have something important to share with you. May I begin our session today? I want to let you know about something that is happening in my life that will affect you and the work we are doing together. I’m retiring and no longer seeing clients after [specific date].”
What if they ask about your retirement plans? Remember — you don’t have to share personal details. It’s fine to say, “I’ve thought about this carefully for some time. It’s a significant step, and I’m not sure what’s next. Today, I just want to focus on your feelings and what this means for you.” Avoid oversharing, though it may be tempting, especially with long-term clients.
Don’t tell clients, “I will continue seeing you until you find a new therapist.” I found out the hard way that this statement may lead some clients to delay their search for a new therapist. Instead, inform clients that finding an available therapist can take weeks or months, especially for those clients looking for a provider in their insurance network. Encourage them to start searching immediately. But stick to your firm end date even if they haven’t found someone. Some clients will not be motivated to start their search until you are gone.
Maintain your boundary. Inform clients that they will not be able to contact you for support or therapy after your retirement, particularly if your license is no longer active and you have discontinued your malpractice insurance. Then stick to your own policy. Should you choose to respond to an email from a former client, don’t provide therapy. Remind them of your retirement status and provide appropriate referrals or resources.
What are your clinical responsibilities? Process what the ending means to them and address any issues that arise, such as potential abandonment concerns. Slow them down — inform them that they will have time to decide whether to end therapy or continue with another therapist. Assist the client in finding suitable therapists, if possible. In each progress note, document discussions about ending, and any referrals or assistance provided, including directing them to their insurance plan or provider directory, so it doesn’t appear you abandoned the client.
Help clients to recognize the silver linings. After discussing their fears, concerns, anger, and sadness regarding your departure, do point out potential benefits. I mentioned to a long-term client that gaining a new therapist’s perspective on his issues and potential solutions might be helpful. Also, becoming vulnerable with a new therapist might challenge him to step outside his comfort zone, lead to growth, and shatter his belief that I was the only one on the planet who could possibly understand him.
Consider “warm handoffs.” This is where you see your client for a session or two after they start with a new therapist to ease the transition, and help clients overcome referral barriers. I once helped a client realize he was unfairly comparing his comfort level with me after three years to his discomfort with the new therapist after just one hour. Weeks later he told me he felt it was a good match. Also be ready to coordinate care with new therapists, once you get a signed release.
Who are you beyond being a therapist? Start adding non-therapy activities to your schedule before ending with clients. I began with a weekly tap-dancing class! This way, your calendar won’t be empty when you retire. It’s also a perfect time to explore new interests and adventures. Many therapists retire only to return later, missing the challenges and stimulation of the profession.
Make your final session a good goodbye with the client. Tell clients that they may be tempted to drop out of therapy rather than deal with an emotional ending session, since historically they may have had traumatic endings in their lives. Tell them that you intend to make this a “good goodbye,” to really share and discuss your feelings about all the great work they’ve done, and that you hope they will come to all scheduled sessions. In your last session, go through the items in my article on Good Goodbyes.
Consider a retirement ritual or celebration. What would feel good to wrap up your wonderful career, and mark the start of the next chapter of your life? A party? A trip? A dinner with colleagues? Consider how you would like to honor yourself and the life-changing work you have done with clients.