How long will i be in therapy? What to Expect in Short and Long-Term Therapy
I’ve very recently made a change in my therapy practice, and it’s one I should have made a long time ago! The change? I’ve started asking new clients how long they want to be in therapy for!
I know it seems simple, and now that I’ve started having that discussion with new clients I can’t believe that I ever didn’t ask about how long they intended to be in therapy. It’s led to some great conversations about goals in therapy and what my clients want from the therapeutic relationship.
So why didn’t I ask before? Honestly, I was probably blinded by my own training and my own personal preferences as a therapy client. During my training, I was expected to see clients on a long term basis and as a therapy client I’ve always preferred long term work.
In fact, one of my final assignments before graduating was to put together a case study on a client I had seen for at least 40 sessions. When you account for illness and holidays, that’s pretty much a full year. It was expected by the college that every student would have at least one if not more clients they saw for that duration during our two year part-time placements.
Of course, once I started seeing psychotherapy clients, first while I was in training and now in my own practice in Birr and online, I realised that not everyone wants to or can be in long term therapy!
I also soon realised that one of the most common questions clients have in their first session is "How long will I need to be in therapy?".
However, even with this realisation, I believe I still wasn’t answering the question very well because the honest answer is that “it depends”. This is still true, but recently I’ve started asking clients, “well how long do you want to be in therapy?”.
This opens up the conversation about all the things “it depends” on and I believe this conversation has helped both me and my clients to clarify what they want and need from therapy.
So, the purpose of this blog post is to help you to decide what duration of therapy would be the best choice for you and to begin to answer the question, how long do you need to be in therapy?
Short-Term Therapy: Focused and Time-Limited
What is Short-Term Therapy?
Short-term therapy, also known as brief therapy, is a focused and time-limited approach to mental health treatment. Typically, short-term therapy involves a predetermined number of sessions, usually around 6 but depending on your needs it could be as many as 12 sessions. This form of therapy is structured to address specific issues or goals within a limited timeframe.
Goals and Benefits of Short-Term Therapy
Short-term therapy aims to provide immediate support and develop practical solutions to current problems. Really, this approach can be used for any presenting issue but it is particularly useful for specific challenges that have recently emerged such as:
Stress management: Learning techniques to cope with immediate stressors.
Decision making: Discussing a life changing decision with a neutral professional.
Workplace issues: Addressing job-related stress or conflicts.
Relationship difficulties: Improving communication and resolving conflicts in a specific relationship.
Recent depression or anxiety: Managing symptoms that have recently emerged or are not chronic.
Grief and loss: Support in early stages of grief and loss.
Advantages of Short-Term Therapy
Time-efficient: Your problem can be addressed and changes implemented in a matter of weeks.
Cost-effective: Fewer sessions mean lower overall cost.
Goal-oriented: Provides clear, tangible outcomes in a short period.
Immediate relief: Offers fast support for acute issues.
Limitations of Short-Term Therapy
While short-term therapy can be highly effective for certain issues, it may not suit everyone's needs. For short-term therapy to be effective, you need to come to therapy already very clear on what the issue is and ready to take steps to change it.
The structured and focused aspect of short term therapy doesn’t really allow for the exploration of deep-seated issues or chronic conditions. If you have complex trauma, long-standing mental health issues, or are seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, you may benefit more from long-term therapy.
Long-Term Therapy: In-Depth and Comprehensive
What is Long-Term Therapy?
Long-term therapy, often referred to as open-ended or ongoing therapy, is a more in depth and exploratory form of mental health treatment. There is no predetermined number of sessions, and it will most likely continue for months or even years, depending on the client's needs and progress. This approach allows for a deeper exploration of the client's psyche and long-standing patterns.
Goals and Benefits of Long-Term Therapy
The goals of long-term therapy are broad and can evolve over time. This form of therapy is well-suited for individuals dealing with:
Relationship patterns: Working on long-term relationship dynamics and patterns.
Identity and existential issues: Exploring questions of identity, purpose, and meaning in life.
Chronic mental health diagnoses: Such as major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and others.
Complex trauma and PTSD: Addressing deeply rooted trauma and its long-term effects.
Complicated or prolonged grief: Grief and loss experiences that need additional long-term support.
Advantages of Long-Term Therapy
In-depth exploration: Allows for a comprehensive understanding of your issues and life history and the interaction between them.
Holistic approach: Addresses not only symptoms but also underlying causes and patterns.
Flexibility: Can adapt to your changing needs over time.
Strong therapeutic alliance: A deep, trusting relationship develops between therapist and client over time.
Limitations of Long-Term Therapy
Despite its benefits, long-term therapy is not without its challenges. It requires a significant investment of time and money, which may not be feasible for everyone. Additionally, the open-ended nature of long-term therapy means that progress can sometimes feel slow, and clients may need to stay committed for an extended period before seeing substantial changes.
Choosing Between Short-Term and Long-Term Therapy
Deciding between short-term and long-term therapy depends on lots of factors, including the type of issues you want to work on in therapy, your personal goals, and practical considerations like time and cost. Here are some points to consider:
Type of Issues
Short-term therapy may be suitable if you are dealing with a specific, acute issue that can be addressed with a targeted approach.
Long-term therapy may be more appropriate if you want to explore a complex and deep seated issue.
Personal Goals
Short-term therapy is goal-oriented and focuses on achieving specific outcomes in a limited timeframe.
Long-term therapy allows for evolving goals and a more in depth understanding of yourself and more holistic personal growth.
Practical Considerations
Time: Short-term therapy offers a time-efficient solution, while long-term therapy requires a more extended commitment.
Cost: Short-term therapy is typically more cost-effective due to the limited number of sessions, while long-term therapy involves ongoing expenses.
Flexibility and Commitment
Short-term therapy provides structure and a clear endpoint, which can be motivating for some clients.
Long-term therapy offers flexibility and a continuous process of growth, which can be more suitable for those seeking a deeper therapeutic journey.
Conclusion
Therapy is a very personal and individual process, and the duration of therapy should be determined by your unique needs and goals. Whether you choose short-term or long-term therapy, the most important factor is finding a therapist you trust and feel comfortable with.
It's also important to note that you can always change your mind! Sometimes people begin short term therapy and decide to stay for a longer therapy to explore more complex issues that have come up during those initial sessions. Conversely, people sometimes begin therapy thinking that they want to address issues in an in-depth way and find that the time and financial commitment is not practical for them at that time.
In my psychotherapy practice in Birr and online, I offer both short-term and long-term therapy options to accommodate the different needs of clients.
If you are uncertain about which type of therapy is right for you, consider starting with an initial consultation. During this session, we can discuss your specific issues, goals, and preferences, and determine the best approach to support your mental health journey.
Remember, seeking therapy is a positive step toward improving your mental well-being, and there is no right or wrong duration for therapy. The key is to find the approach that works best for you and to be open to the process of growth and healing. Whether your journey is short or long, therapy can provide valuable insights, tools, and support to help you navigate life's challenges and achieve a greater sense of well-being.
