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First Friday Forum: Closing a Psychology Practice: Clinical, Ethical, Practical and Personal Dimensions
Metropolitan State University, St. Paul Campus – Founders Hall Auditorium
700 E 7th Street
St. Paul, MN 55106
Friday, December 01, 2017, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Category: First Friday Forum (CE)

Closing a Psychology Practice: Clinical, Ethical, Practical and Personal Dimensions

Friday, December 1, 2017

Registration: 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Program: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Friday Forums are cosponsored with the
Metropolitan State University Psychology Department

About the Program

A great deal of consideration typically accompanies a psychologist’s decision to open a clinical practice. Similarly, deciding to close a practice demands careful planning to ensure that all dimensions of this significant transition are navigated with appropriate attention to clients’ needs, as well as the personal needs and professional responsibilities of the psychologist.

Psychologists may close their practices for various reasons including financial difficulties, other employment opportunities, illness, family responsibilities, and retirement. Psychologists must think through how they will manage their clinical responsibilities, ensure compliance with ethical requirements, and navigate the logistics, all while taking care of themselves throughout the process. Dr. Janet Thomas will provide an overview of these challenges, summarizing psychologists’ responsibilities in each of the four categories. Panelists will illuminate these points by sharing their related personal experiences.

Dr. Jane Brodie will reflect on the clinical challenges of closing a practice such as informing clients, effectively managing transference reactions, and therapeutically navigating the transition to the end of treatment. Dr. Michael DeSanctis will discuss the practical and logistical challenges encountered when closing his private practice. He will also share his perspectives on the experience of embarking on new professional and personal paths. And finally, Dr. Steven Gilbert will broaden the discussion to include any psychologist who is anticipating retirement, whether from a private practice or from an employment situation. Dr. Gilbert will address the psychological, relational, and identity dimensions of this transition in a psychologist’s life. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and offer comments.

This session qualifies for 3.0 continuing education credits. You must attend the full 3-hour program to get continuing education credit for the event.

Participants will be able to:

  1. Discuss two clinical issues commonly raised by psychotherapy clients in the wake of a therapist-initiated termination.
  2. Identify and apply relevant APA Ethical Standards (2010) to decisions about closing a psychology practice.
  3. List five steps psychologists must take to close a psychology practice.
  4. Describe three psychological, emotional, and relational responses psychologists commonly experience as they anticipate closing their practices.

About the Presenters:

Janet T. Thomas, Psy.D., LP, received her doctoral degree in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas in 1995. She practices in St. Paul where she provides psychotherapy, ethics consultation, and supervision, as well as consultation with psychologists closing their practices. Her publications include The Ethics of Supervision and Consultation: Practical Guidance for Mental Health Professionals, published by APA.

Jane Brodie, Ph.D., obtained her doctoral degree in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota in 1981. She retired from her practice as a psychologist and marriage and family therapist in 2013, after 32 years. Drawing on her psychoanalytic training, Dr. Brodie navigated the numerous clinical challenges of informing clients and helping them to manage the termination of their psychotherapeutic work with her.

Michael V. DeSanctis, Ph.D., LP, ABPP, CBSM, received his PhD in Counseling Psychology from Texas Tech University in 1982, minoring in Neuroscience. He now runs a company, Positive Sleep Journeys, PLLC, dedicated to educating the public, organizations and mental health professionals on the subjects of sleep and circadian processes as these impact cognition, behavior, risk profiles and performance. He closed his private practice in 2015.

Steven Gilbert, Ph.D., LP, ABPP, received his doctoral degree in counseling psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1980. Dr. Gilbert is a Professor and Department Chair of the Counseling Center at Minnesota State University Mankato, where he has worked as a counselor and administrator since 1989. He has served the MPA as President and as Chair of both the Ethics and Membership Committees. 

The Minnesota Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  The Minnesota Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS:  If you need disability related accommodations, including parking, to make this event accessible, please contact the Metropolitan State University Center for Accessibility Resources, 651-793-1549, or [email protected]

To Register:

Register Online

Click here for a pdf Registration Form 

Refund/Cancellation Policy: A 100% refund will be made if the event is cancelled. Refunds, less a $5 handling free, will be given if a written cancellation is received at least two working days before the scheduled program begins. Transfer of fee to another program is granted if written cancellation notice is received at least one day before the program. No refund or transfer is given the day of the program.


Contact: [email protected] or (952)928-4657