Everything You Need To Know About The Expected Length Of Therapy
When it comes to therapy, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Different people can benefit from different types of treatment, treatment goals, and duration of treatment. Therapy is a personal experience, so while it can be useful to consider expectations and guidance regarding the average length of therapy treatment, it may also be important to pay attention to your own experience and progress.
Psychotherapy can be used to treat specific mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and OCD, for example. Therapy isn’t limited to individuals with diagnosed mental health conditions, though. It can also be used to work through emotional difficulties, relationship struggles, or major life changes. In this article, we’ll discuss the expected length of therapy, including factors that can affect treatment length.
The average length of a therapy session and treatment plan
A study in the Journal of Counseling Psychology indicates that patients find the most dramatic improvements somewhere between their seventh and tenth sessions. Still, not everyone will fall into this average, especially if they are experiencing more severe conditions or must work through deep-rooted personal issues.
Factors that can affect treatment length
According to the APA, several factors can impact how long you participate in therapy. Some of these may be at the discretion of your care provider, while others can be based on your personal preferences.
Treatment type
The type of therapy you receive can have a significant impact on how many sessions you might participate in. Consider the following types of therapy:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most common types of treatment, can help people identify and change harmful or ineffective behavior patterns. It may last for six to twenty sessions, and each session can average 30-60 minutes in length.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy based on CBT but with a focus on controlling emotions. It can be used to treat people experiencing chronic suicidal thoughts or those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this treatment often lasts much longer than other types, usually requiring at least six months to a year.
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an approach that uses cognitive-behavioral exercises and mindfulness training, and it can be used for relapse prevention for individuals with depression as well as other mental health conditions. It may consist of eight sessions within a group program, each lasting about two hours long.
- Prolonged exposure therapy can help individuals confront fears and trauma-related feelings. The American Psychological Association recommends its use in treating PTSD. Prolonged exposure therapy can consist of roughly eight to 15 sessions over a period of about three months. These sessions often last longer than other types of therapy, ranging from 60-120 minutes in length.
- Interpersonal therapy is often used to treat specific types of depression. It can help people identify underlying interpersonal issues and then learn healthy ways to communicate and relate with themselves and others. It often involves a 12-to-16-week program.
- Emotionally focused therapy can be used to help couples create a more secure attachment in their relationship by shaping and expressing their emotions. It can be a short-term therapy that often lasts between eight and 20 sessions.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 988 to talk to someone over SMS. Support is available 24/7.
Family therapy is a type of therapy in which family members come together to improve their communication skills and resolve conflict in pursuit of a more positive relationship. Multiple family members may attend sessions together, or one family member can see a family therapist individually. According to the Mayo Clinic, family therapy typically consists of an average of twelve sessions.
Severity of your condition
More than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. About one in twenty-five live with a serious mental illness such as major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. People experiencing a more severe condition may need consistent, ongoing support from a mental health professional.
Your mindset
One of the main goals of therapy is to see progress and improvement in your mental health. To achieve this goal, you may need to actively participate in your treatment. When you are willing to speak honestly and candidly with your therapist, they can provide more focused care, and you can find solutions that work for you.
If you feel unable to talk openly to your therapist, you may need to spend some time examining why. Sometimes, people may not feel a connection with their therapist. If that’s the case, you may benefit from finding a different mental health care provider. It can be important to choose a provider you feel comfortable with in order to experience the results you’re looking for.
Your individual preferences
Different people may approach therapy differently. Some people may prefer a more preventative method that follows the wellness model of therapy. In this model, therapy might be akin to consistent exercise or healthy eating choices. It may be a way to consistently maintain your mental health so that you don’t get to a point where you feel overwhelmed by stress or the symptoms of a mental health condition.
Other people may prefer to follow the illness model of therapy. In this model, therapy may be similar to a visit to your primary care provider. You might seek therapy in order to alleviate the symptoms of a mental health disorder. Once you’re feeling better, you may discontinue treatment.
Like so many other factors that impact your treatment plan, there is no one right or wrong way to view therapy.
When is long-term therapy the best solution?
While many people may benefit from a time-limited treatment plan, some conditions can require long periods of ongoing clinical therapy. Some of these conditions may include:
- Eating disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Recurrent and severe major depressive disorder
- Dissociative disorders
A therapist may suggest ongoing treatment if a patient is at risk of psychiatric hospitalization. Moreover, if you think you would benefit from ongoing therapy to work through complex issues, you can talk to your provider about your preferences.
Finding the right type of therapy for you
There may be no one correct answer when it comes to how long you should participate in therapy. According to a study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, setting uniform time limits for treatment would not adequately meet patient’s needs. Instead, you should work with your therapist to decide what length of treatment would work best for your individual situation. You may also need to make other decisions regarding your therapy options, including if you prefer in-person or online therapy.
For many people, making the time for clinical psychology or therapy—regardless of the potential duration of treatment—can be challenging. With busy schedules, lots of responsibilities, and long commutes, seeking help in-person might be difficult. For these individuals, online therapy may present a more convenient option. Since you can attend a therapy session wherever you have an internet connection, there’s no need for a long commute. This may make it easier to schedule appointments and make time for treatment.
A growing body of research demonstrates the effectiveness of online therapy. In a 2017 review examining 373 articles, researchers concluded that online cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in treating and managing various conditions, including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorders, OCD, and bipolar disorder.
Takeaway
According to the APA, the expected length of therapy can depend on several factors, including the type of therapy you receive, the severity of your condition, and your individual preferences. While some individuals may benefit from a few weeks or months of therapy, other people may need ongoing, long-term therapy. Ultimately, the decision of how long your therapy will last is up to you and your care provider. With BetterHelp, you can connect with a licensed therapist online and work together to determine the length of treatment that’s right for you. To get started, reach out to BetterHelp today.
How long is a standard therapy session?
Therapy sessions typically last between 30-to-60 minutes. The best amount of time will depend on the individual. For example, young children may have shorter attention spans and 30-minute weekly sessions may be plenty of time. For adults, treatment goals or personal preferences may benefit from longer sessions.
What is the average number of therapy sessions?
The number of therapy sessions you need can vary dramatically based on the type of therapy you choose, the types of challenges or disorders you’re navigating, and your goals. For example, while the average number of therapy sessions people attend is 15-20, the average number of psychodynamic therapy sessions is higher (40+), and the average number of cognitive behavioral therapy sessions is lower (5-20).
What is considered long-term therapy?
There’s not an exact cutoff between short and long-term therapy, but generally 20 or fewer sessions is considered short-term, while a longer time in therapy is considered long-term. Peer reviewed research has found that 15-20 sessions is sufficient for 50% of clients to significantly improve their symptoms, so long-term therapy might not be necessary for everyone.
Is a 2-hour therapy session too long?
Most therapists offer therapy sessions that range between 30-minutes to one hour, when sessions are significantly longer than this, they may become emotionally exhausting or unproductive for both the client and the therapist. The exact length of sessions best suited to you and your circumstances will vary, and it’s a good idea to discuss this with your therapist.
Why do therapists do 50-minute sessions?
A “50-minute hour” is a common length for sessions, because it allows therapists a brief break between clients, it’s long enough to get settled during sessions but short enough to stay focused, and it’s typically the amount of time that insurance companies cover.
When is it time to stop therapy?
It can be difficult to know when it’s time to stop seeing your therapist, but look out for the following signs that may indicate it’s time to end it:
- You’ve made major progress and don’t have many other concerns you want to talk about
- You’ve accomplished your therapy goals
- You have the tools to cope with your challenges independently
- You never formed a strong therapeutic bond with your therapist
- You don’t feel validated or understood by your therapist
- You’ve given it some time but still don’t feel comfortable being open with your therapist
- You don’t feel comfortable in sessions
- Your therapist doesn’t act within their ethical or legal grounds, or otherwise crosses boundaries or makes you feel uncomfortable
- Your therapist is providing medical advice or oversharing their personal details
Note that some of these reasons might indicate that you don’t currently need talk therapy, whereas others may indicate that you could still benefit from therapy, but that the therapist is not the right fit. If your therapist does something unethical, you should consider reporting them to your state licensing board.
Is therapy every 2 weeks enough?
Most people in therapy see their provider once per week, but some people prefer seeing a therapist every other week or as needed. The best frequency of therapy sessions for you will depend on factors such as your schedule, budget, mental health challenges, and goals.
How to end therapy sessions?
If you’re ready to stop therapy, you might be tempted to email your therapist or just ghost your therapist to avoid the conversation. However, unless the therapist is acting in ways that are unethical or dangerous, it can be beneficial to have a direct conversation about stopping therapy during your sessions.
Before starting the conversation, consider thinking about why you want to leave. Does your therapist trigger familiar feelings or relationship patterns present in other areas of your life? Are you frustrated with the therapeutic process? Do you think you’ve accomplished what you set out to do in therapy? Are you just not clicking with your therapist?
Once you’ve decided to end therapy and have had a conversation with your therapist, it can be beneficial to go to a few more sessions to tie up any loose ends and plan for navigating challenges on your own.
Can too much therapy be bad?
At some point, more therapy can become counterproductive, emotionally depleting, and financially burdensome for some people. However, it might depend on whether the therapy is focused on addressing a specific concern (the illness model of psychotherapy) or wellbeing and prevention (the wellness model). While the illness model may emphasize getting out of therapy as soon as possible, the wellness model views therapy the same way you might view the gym—it’s a preventative tool that you can carry with you for many years.
How long is normal to go to therapy?
There’s no “normal” amount of time to go to therapy. The best amount of time for you to attend therapy will depend on things like your goals, whether you’re using therapy preventatively or to address a specific issue, and the therapeutic approach. Overall, if you still feel like you’re getting benefits from therapy sessions, it’s probably a good idea to keep going.
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