The purpose of the qualitative phenomenological research study was to describe and explain the experiences of African Americans who terminated mental health treatment services after their initial sessions. The goal of the study was to expand the available knowledge by scientifically illuminating the lived experiences of African Americans who used mental health treatment services, which would enable clinicians and researchers to better understand how clients experienced using those services. The scientific phenomenological method developed by Giorgi (1997) was used as a framework from which to conduct in-depth interviews with 10 prospective participants whose experiences were audio-taped to capture the essence of their recollections in a specific point in time, in their own words. The data from participants were categorized into six themes, or constituents: (a) memories of pre-session traumas, (b) pre-session conditioning of attitudes and beliefs about therapy, (c) pre-session expectations of therapy, (d) initial in-session expectations, (e) decisions to terminate during the initial sessions, and (f) factors involved in the processes of termination. After closer analysis of the six themes, an enduring overall theme was identified that appeared to permeate the themes. A single eidetic structure discovered from the six constituents was the theme of "fear," which was a prevailing theme in the description of the participants and presented itself in several forms. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]