Posted in Frequently Asked Questions 468 0 1

How long is therapy?

This is the question I get the most from people calling in to make an appointment.

Ultimately, you will know within the first 2-3 sessions if the therapist is helping you or not. Progress tends to take time, but you will have a feeling if it is going at a pace you feel is appropriate.

A few things to keep in mind when considering this question.

When you go to the gym 3 days per week to tone up how long do you think it will take? It is very hard to estimate because it depends on your calories in and out (and other nutrition related things), how active you are in other parts of your life, and what your DNA consists of (for some people it is easy to tone up and other people it is difficult).

Then, one you get toned, you don’t stop going to the gym or you won’t be toned anymore. In therapy, many people can complete their goals and then coast and continue on their own without ongoing therapy. Other people want to continue therapy to keep up on their mental health atonement, and that is okay too.

With therapy, it is impossible for a therapist to know what obstacles you will encounter to slow down therapy, but here are some things that affect the amount of time therapy will take:

Social Support:

Do you have a supportive family? Do you have supportive friends? Do you have someone to vent to when you need support? Do you have someone who unconditionally cares about you?

This is a picture of a family of 4 adults sitting at a dinner table smiling and talking with each other. The colors are calming and happy colors and there is a window that shows trees outside.

Biology:

Does depression, anxiety, attention issues, or other mental health issues run in your family? Biological depression takes longer to treat compared to situation depression.

Coping skills:

Do you already have coping skills that work for you? Such as working out, doing art, and/or talking with friends.

This photo is of a woman sitting at a table painting a picture. There is a window behind her with trees outside.

Consistency and Frequency of Sessions:

Are you able to come to therapy once per week or once per month based on your financial and time restrictions?

Follow Through:

When the therapist gives you something to work on or think about, do you do it?

Starting Therapy:

Starting therapy is a huge step in improving your mental health, but it’s important to understand that the duration of therapy can vary from person to person. Factors such as the issues you’re wanting to address in therapy, your personal goals, and how deeply these issues affect your daily life all play a role. Progress in therapy can also be influenced by how often you attend sessions and how actively you engage with the therapeutic process outside of sessions.

With all of these things in mind, it’s difficult for therapists to provide an exact timeline for therapy at the outset. That being said, once you have your first few appointments, you will have an idea of if the therapist seems to “get you” and will be able to help you or not. Trust your gut feeling and don’t be afraid to shop around. If you meet with one therapist and you are unsure, try another therapist or two. Eventually, try to pick the therapist who you felt most comfortable with.