What must be documented if a therapist ends a session due to feeling unsafe?

When a therapist ends a session due to feeling unsafe, it is essential to document the details of the incident. This documentation serves multiple purposes: it helps to establish a record of the event in case of any future disputes or complaints, it provides legal protection for the therapist, and it may assist in tracking patterns of behavior if similar incidents occur with other clients.

Thorough documentation should include specifics about what caused the therapist to feel unsafe, the time and date of the incident, any actions taken by the therapist in response, and the client's behavior during the situation. This creates a clear account of the circumstances and supports professional accountability.

Failing to document such incidents could leave the therapist vulnerable if questions arise later about their decision to terminate the session. Therefore, it is crucial for therapists to maintain proper records in situations where their safety is a concern.