The Road To Mental Health Recovery: How Long Should I Be In Therapy?
Many people enhance their overall mental and emotional well-being through therapy. As such, a common question asked by individuals starting therapy is, “How long should I be in therapy?” While the answer isn’t straightforward and varies by the individual's mental health concerns, goals, and circumstances, there are several factors that can help inform how long someone should stay in therapy. In this article, we consider several factors that may affect how long someone sees a therapist, such as the therapeutic approach, one’s response to treatment, and different mental health conditions.
How long should I be in therapy? Factors influencing therapy duration
Several factors may influence how long a person stays in therapy. Some of these factors include:
- The individual’s mental health condition. Some mental health concerns are straightforward and may be able to be addressed in just a few therapy sessions. For more complex trauma, chronic mental health conditions, and general mental health care over time, a longer therapeutic duration may be beneficial.
- The individual’s goals. The reasons a person seeks therapy may influence the length of time they stay in therapy. For example, if someone has anxiety over entering college, then therapy may only be needed as they apply to and begin school. But for someone who is looking to enhance their overall personal growth and self-understanding over time, therapy might extend over many years.
- The therapeutic approach. Different therapeutic approaches can have different durations.
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- Additionally, how many sessions it takes for a certain method to be effective can depend on the mental health condition being treated, how committed the individual is to the process, and other similar factors.
- The individual’s response to treatment. Different people respond to therapy differently. Some people may see changes in their behaviors, mental health symptoms, or thought patterns quickly, while others need longer time periods to make more progress before ending therapy. For patients who benefit from monitoring symptoms over time and maintaining improvement through continued sessions, the duration of therapy may also be longer.
- An individual’s lifestyle constraints. In some cases, an individual’s lifestyle factors can influence the length of treatment. Financial barriers, time concerns, and scheduling difficulties can impact if someone is able to receive therapeutic treatment consistently. However, online therapy can provide an affordable way for people to get care that was previously unavailable. If you have concerns about limiting factors affecting your ability to receive mental health care, consider speaking with a therapist about your concerns and see if arrangements can be made.
Short-term vs. long-term treatment
What’s the difference between short-term therapy and long-term therapy? Short-term and long-term therapy treatments have differences not only in length but also often in their style of treatment. Short-term therapy typically ranges from 6 to 20 sessions and tends to focus on a specific issue or goal. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, short-term psychodynamic therapy, Gestalt therapy, and solution-focused brief therapy all fall into this range. A therapist may provide assessments at the beginning of treatment and throughout subsequent sessions to determine whether the treatment program is working and when treatment can be concluded.
Long-term therapy can last between several months and several years or be lifelong for some patients. Long-term therapy is generally either geared toward addressing complex and ongoing mental health concerns or supporting an individual’s growth in their daily life over time. Psychoanalysis, rehabilitative psychotherapy, psychodynamic therapy, and many other forms of humanistic therapy fall into this category. Individuals with various goals and personal preferences that require more time to accomplish can opt for longer sessions of therapy.
When should you end therapy?
When first beginning therapy, it can be useful to discuss the length of treatment you are expecting with your therapist and ask how you'll know when it’s time to stop therapy. These considerations and expectations may change over time, but therapy should be an open space to discuss your progress and adjust as needed.
When you’re trying to decide if it’s time to end your therapy sessions, it may be helpful to discuss that decision directly with your therapist. While there might not be a straightforward answer regarding when to end therapy, your provider can offer guidance and suggestions for how long they think you may benefit from continued sessions.
If you haven’t had this conversation with your therapist, you can start it whenever you feel comfortable. When deciding whether or not to end therapy, consider factors such as if your initial concern has been alleviated, if you have new needs that may benefit from continued therapy, and whether you are interested in taking a break or quitting therapy altogether.
Online therapy sessions and the road to mental health recovery
Therapy can be useful for addressing mental health disorders and life challenges. It can be vital to find the right therapist, as feeling comfortable can help you get the most out of your sessions. If at any time you would like to switch therapists, online therapy platforms such as BetterHelp can make the process more seamless than it would be if you were seeing someone at an in-person practice. With online therapy, you can search for and match with professionals who closely align with your mental health needs and preferences. If you connect with one and feel they aren’t the right fit for you, you can easily change providers with the click of a button.
If cost or availability is a driving factor in your decision to leave therapy, online therapy can provide a low-cost, flexible alternative to mental health care. Online therapy allows you to schedule your sessions at times that are convenient and comfortable for you. If you travel frequently, online therapy can help you maintain consistency in your sessions. You can choose to go to therapy once a week, every other week, or monthly, depending on your needs.
Efficacy of online therapy with a licensed therapist
Research has shown that video-delivered therapy is as effective as in-person therapy, especially when treating mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In one study, researchers found that video-delivered online therapy is most effective when cognitive behavioral therapy is utilized. CBT is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the connection between a person’s thoughts and behaviors. As individuals learn how to change their unhelpful thoughts into more positive manners of thinking, they can alter their unwanted behaviors and responses to life’s stressors.
Online therapy can provide other benefits and involve a strong therapeutic alliance, evidence-based approaches, and effective mental health treatment. When combined with added benefits, such as increased flexibility and reach to diverse professionals, many individuals find online therapy to be a useful alternative to face-to-face therapy.
Takeaway
How long should you continue couples therapy?
Couples therapy should continue as long as both partners feel they are making progress and working toward their relationship goals. Some couples may need just a few months of support through talk therapy, while others benefit from ongoing support for their relationship problems. Regular check-ins with your therapist can help you decide when it's time to wrap up or take a break.
How long does the average person stay in therapy with a structured treatment plan?
For those individuals who are planning to seek treatment through therapy, the duration varies based on individual needs and life concerns, but most people stay in therapy for several months to a year. A structured treatment plan helps set clear goals and milestones, making it easier to track progress and determine when therapy has been effective.
What is the 2-year rule for therapists?
The 2-year rule suggests that therapy should be re-evaluated after two years to see if it's still beneficial. If progress has stalled or goals have been met, it may be time to adjust the approach or consider ending therapy. A good therapist is flexible and able to modify their treatment plan if it no longer works for their clients.
What is the standard duration of couples therapy, and how does it vary based on different mental health needs?
Couples therapy typically lasts between 12 to 20 sessions, but the exact length depends on factors like the complexity of relationship issues and the couple's willingness to engage in the process. Deeper conflicts that couples deal with may require longer treatment. A good therapist may employ a variety of interventions in couples therapy, depending on what works for the relationship problems at hand.
Can too much therapy be bad, and how do you determine the right length for effective therapy sessions?
Too much therapy can sometimes create dependency rather than foster growth among patients. The goal of therapy is to equip clients so they can efficiently deal with their problems on their own. The right length depends on your goals and how well you're applying what you've learned outside of sessions. Your therapist can help you evaluate progress and determine if it's time to scale back.
Does a therapist get tired of patients?
Therapists are trained professionals with experience in counseling and clinical psychology, but they are human, too. They might experience emotional fatigue, especially with high caseloads. However, they use self-care and professional boundaries and strive to be a positive example to stay effective and provide the best support possible for the improvement and healing of their clients. With years of clinical experience, a good therapist will do their best to maintain professionalism, despite feeling tired and exhausted. They can set a positive example by demonstrating professionalism, active listening, and healthy boundaries with their clients.
How long should I be in therapy, and is it normal to be in therapy for years?
The length of therapy depends on your goals and the complexity of your challenges in life. Some people benefit from short-term therapy, while others who deal with complex problems find long-term support helpful. Just a few sessions of therapy can be enough for individuals with specific goals and well-defined problems, while longer periods are recommended for those who deal with complex and chronic conditions. In most cases, it's perfectly normal to stay in therapy for years if it continues to add value to your life, no matter the circumstances. On the other hand, individuals who undergo therapy must also learn how to apply the skills they have developed at some point in their lives outside of treatment.
What is the failure rate of therapy?
Therapy success rates vary, but studies in journal articles suggest that around 20-30% of people may not see the desired results. Still, this should not discourage those individuals who want to go to a therapist’s office and attend therapy to achieve their goals or address their problems. The key to success often lies in finding the right therapist, being open to change, and staying engaged in the process. However, it is still the client’s right to end treatment if they realize it's not beneficial for them anymore.
How can you tell if the treatment plan in therapy isn't working?
If you’re not seeing progress, feeling stuck, or your concerns aren’t being addressed, it might be a sign that your treatment plan needs adjusting. Talking openly with your therapist can help identify what changes might be needed or decide if it makes sense to continue with the current treatment plan. Your therapist can alter the course of your therapy, modifying it to be a good fit for the concerns you deal with.
How often do clients drop out of therapy?
Many clients drop out early, often within the first few sessions, if they don't feel a connection with their therapist or aren't seeing immediate results. It's important to give therapy a fair chance and communicate concerns before deciding to stop. It can take time for patients to see the full changes from therapy, especially those with severe mental health challenges.
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