How long should you go to therapy?
Going to therapy can be a helpful tool for managing mental health concerns, but how long should you go to therapy? Once you start what is a realistic expectation on when you’ll be able to stop? The answer to this question is not one-size-fits-all, as it depends on several factors as well as personal preference. Firstly, the severity of your mental health concerns can impact the length of time you should go to therapy, especially if you’re struggling with self harm or suicidal ideation. If you’re experiencing mild to moderate symptoms, you may only need a few sessions to learn coping skills and strategies to cultivate better, more joyful, and whole mental health. However, if you’re struggling with more severe symptoms, it may take longer to see improvements with therapy, and this is okay.
Additionally, the type of therapy you’re receiving can also impact the duration of treatment as some require more consistent visits compared to others. Some therapeutic approaches are designed to be short-term, while others are more long-term, so if time constraint is a concern to you, talk with your therapist openly about your timeline, if you have one. However, healing from trauma, working through forgiveness or even taking care of your mental health sometimes can’t be confined to a timeline. Two examples of short-term and long-term therapy are: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used for short-term treatment, while psychodynamic therapy may require more sessions to see results that are impactful.
The frequency of your therapy sessions can also play a role in the length of treatment as well as being able to keep the mental health concerns and topics at the forefront of your mind. If you’re going to therapy once a week, you may see improvements more quickly than if you’re only going once a month as well as remember to implement the tools and skills talked about within your session throughout the week. Ultimately, the decision of how long to go to therapy should be made collaboratively between you and your therapist as you see progress, experience change, and walk in more freedom. As you progress in therapy, you and your therapist can reevaluate your treatment plan and make adjustments as needed but you should also feel confident to express where you’re at mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Five reasons to see a therapist consistently:
- Improved mental health: Consistent therapy can help improve your mental health by addressing and managing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, and fear. When you go to see a licensed professional you can gain insight on yourself, address current or past issues, and begin to walk in more mental health freedom.
- Better relationships: Therapy can help you improve your communication skills, manage conflicts, and build healthier relationships with others as well as yourself. This is why it is never a bad idea to go to therapy, even if it is only for a short duration of time.
- Increased self-awareness: Consistent therapy can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, identify patterns of behavior that may be holding you back, and develop healthier coping mechanisms when life is at its hardest moments.
- Goal-setting and achievement: A therapist can help you set achievable goals and hold you accountable for achieving them, and this can be overcoming addictions, working towards more self love, or even cultivating better relationships with those around you.
- Long-term benefits: Regular therapy sessions can lead to long-term benefits such as increased resilience, improved overall well-being, and a more fulfilling life as you let go of the past and create new habits to succeed in the future.
Therefore, consistency is a crucial factor in achieving success, even if this means taking what you’ve learned in short-term therapy and carrying it into your long-term dreams. Through consistent effort and dedication, one can build habits that lead to progress and growth, and a therapist is a great tool to help you become the best version of yourself. In summary, the length of time you should go to therapy depends on the severity of your symptoms, the type of therapy you’re receiving, and the frequency of your sessions as well as your progress. It’s important to work with your therapist to determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs and remember that you’re not confined to a timeline. Your journey to better mental health is about you, and you have the freedom to stop and start again whenever you desire.
