ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to help practitioners anticipate and make plans for their patients and their patients’ records prior to interruptions or closing of their practices in order to promote continuity of care. It summarizes the clinical, ethical, and legal reasons why it is critical for practitioners to make contingency plans. The chapter presents specific procedures practitioners can have ready to prevent problems that can occur for patients and their records during temporary suspensions or closings of practices. Continuity of care in psychotherapy is essential. Effective therapy depends largely on the stability and dependability of the therapeutic relationship. While continuity of care is critical, it is impossible to prevent interruptions or even permanent cessation of clinical practices. Psychotherapists and counselors may wish to make clinical judgments regarding which former patients to notify of their practices’ closing. Proactive procedures for management of tasks involving suspensions or closures of practices protect everyone who is associated with the clinician’s practice.
