How Long Before I'm Better? Thoughts on the Therapy Timeline
Ivy Griffin
“How long does therapy take to start working?” “I've been in therapy over a year, why do I still have the same issues?” “Will I need therapy the rest of my life?” These are important questions that deserve thoughtful consideration. Read on for insights from a therapist who has provided both short and long-term therapy.
“How long does therapy take to start working?”
The effectiveness of therapy depends on multiple factors including, but not limited to, the issues we want to address in therapy, our engagement in therapeutic work both inside and outside of sessions, the consistency and duration of our therapeutic work, the level of support in our environment, and our relationship with our therapist.
Even with all these factors working well, it can take time for us to experience benefits – for some, it may take months, for others, over a year. With this in mind, it's important that we set manageable goals for ourselves in therapy and check in with our therapist about them on a regular basis.
“I've been in therapy over a year, why do I still have the same issues?”
It's not uncommon for us to return to the same issue or same types of issues again and again in therapy. The issues we choose to work on are often stuck points that we've been attempting to address for years before we seek therapy. This may be an indication that our issue is important, complex, and potentially rooted in childhood. It takes time to understand such complex issues and even when we have a good understanding, using our understanding to do something different is an entirely different story. Oftentimes, factors in our environment are not supportive of us enacting change. Our lives often have a certain homeostasis that's developed over time and change can throw things out of whack. Discussing with our therapist the changes we want and the changes we fear can help us develop more realistic expectations.
“Will I need therapy the rest of my life?”
The duration we need therapy will be different for everyone and it's related to the above mentioned factors. Some therapists are more geared towards short-term therapy and others are geared towards long-term therapy so know that no matter what your situation or your desire, there will be a therapist who is passionate about the type of therapy that works best for you.
While I've provided both short and long-term therapy, I feel most passionate about long-term therapy. I believe that the type of therapy you're able to do after years of knowing someone is qualitatively different. I also believe that for people working through childhood wounds, the safety and consistency of a long-term therapeutic relationship can be an important foundation for growth and healing.
Whatever the case, know that your therapeutic timeline will be unique to you. Whether you're just starting therapy or you've been in it for awhile, I encourage you to openly discuss your feelings, expectations, and hopes with your therapist. If you're currently struggling or in need of support, please reach out!
Ileana Arganda-Stevens, LMFT# 129032
Therapist and Program Manager