How Long Should I Be in Therapy?

This short blog answers your question – how long should I be in therapy? You may be wondering what you can expect in certain amounts of time. Perhaps you’re thinking in terms of your availability, finances, and more. When will you start seeing progress in yourself? Can I do short term versus long term therapy?

 

To note, there is no obligation to commit to a certain amount of sessions. While there is no minimum, you may not see progress in only a handful of sessions. Therapy takes time and commitment for results. The first few sessions are dedicated to really getting to know you and providing psychoeducation. 

 

Depending on what you’re looking to address in therapy, you can still make progress in a set amount of time. You and your therapist collaboratively establish goals, track progress, and keep an eye on your symptoms. It varies for everyone, and is an individual process. You cannot compare your therapy journey to someone else’s, for example.

 

Therapy in Simi Valley provides you with tools and coping skills to function outside of therapy. Make sure to read our blog on the 3 Benefits of Individual Therapy!

 

How Long Should I Be in Therapy?: Goals for therapy

Let’s first understand what you’re wanting to address in therapy. As mentioned, everyone comes into therapy with unique circumstances, backgrounds, and cultures. There is no “one size fits all” plan for addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. It depends upon your unique experience, self-insight, support systems, and more.

 

The issues you are wanting to address in session also play a role in how long you can expect to be in therapy. For example, let’s say you’re wanting to address trauma, whether recently or in the past. We have trauma-informed therapists at New Leaf Marriage & Family Therapy in Simi Valley. In trauma therapy, you can expect a 3 stage process – which should not be rushed . Read more at How to Process Therapy.

 

Some other common goals for therapy include:

 

• Increased self-awareness/learning more about yourself.

 

• Improving communication around feelings or needs.

 

• Setting boundaries with others or yourself.

 

• Navigating life transitions such as moving, starting a new job/school, relationships.

 

• Practicing more self-acceptance / reframing your negative thought process.

You also may not know exactly what you want to address in therapy. This is normal and totally okay! You have an idea that lately, you’ve been struggling, and it’s time to seek out support.

 

With that, you and your therapist will work together to come up with some unique goals for you. Perhaps the goals pertain to addressing panic attacks, navigating conflict, or treating your depression. In getting to know you, your therapist will assign tasks or “homework” to see what works best for you. 

 

It’s important that you two establish some core goals for sessions, and check in time-to-time with how progress is going. Are these goals achievable for where you’re at right now? Maybe your therapist needs to meet you where you’re at, and work from there. Perhaps you’ve achieved those goals, and want to start working towards some new ones.

 

Therapy in Simi Valley, CA tailors a unique treatment approach based on your needs. Make sure to read our blog on Taking Responsibility for Your Mental Health!

 

How Long Should I Be in Therapy?: Personal commitment

Your personal commitment to therapy is a main factor in how long the process can extend. What’s your personal buy-in to changing up your routine, trying new, scary things, and more? Do you feel motivated to implement strategies recommended by your therapist, outside of session?

 

Therapy sessions shouldn’t always feel like a venting session. While it’s good for you to have a safe space to share your thoughts or feelings, therapy should feel productive. When you share stressors in your life, what steps are you taking to cope with them? Do you have realizations during therapy, or find that some skills are really helping? 

 

Again, your circumstances are unique. Maybe you’re a young adult, struggling to live at home with a contentious family. You don’t really have an ability to just move out due to finances, for example. However, in what ways can you improve the situation for yourself? How are you going to work towards the goals you’ve set for yourself in therapy?

 

With that, it’s important that you feel comfortable providing feedback to your therapist about how things are going. 

 

There will be days where therapy feels stagnant, or even frustrating. This is a normal part of the therapeutic process. There will be ebbs and flows to your progress. However, if you notice that it’s consistent, it’s important to bring this up to your therapist. For example, maybe you don’t feel as understood by your therapist. In tandem, you feel that you don’t understand what they’re trying to communicate to you. This can affect how much you participate in therapy.

 

Therapy is your journey, and you should feel comfortable with your therapist. Providing feedback can be scary, but it can only improve your therapeutic experience. You may notice the therapist taking a different, more effective approach with you. Otherwise, it may signal that you two aren’t the right fit. Therefore, it’s encouraged to consult with other therapists to see who would be a better fit for you.

 

Therapy in Simi Valley holds sessions in-person in our beautiful office space. Make sure to read our blog on How to Sit with Discomfort! Sitting with discomfort is a useful tool.

 

How Long Should I Be in Therapy?: Other factors

Other factors can dictate how long you should be in therapy. Most of the time, they may be factors that are out of your control. This can include:

 

• If insurance is covering it, as they can limit the amount of sessions covered. You may have to content this to demonstrate a medical necessity. 

 

• Paying out of pocket / finances, if it is becoming a financial stressor. In this case, your therapist may refer you to a low cost, affordable, or in-network provider. They may also offer a sliding scale. 

 

• If you are relocating for school or work, specifically out of state. If your therapist is licensed in one state, they cannot work with clients residing in another.

 

• If the type of therapy you’re in is appropriate for your needs. If you are needing a higher level of care, you may be referred out to an IOP or PHP. This applies for substance abuse, active suicidal ideation/self-harming, and more.

 

Make sure to read our blog on Why Start Therapy and When to Stop Therapy!

 

 

In sum, how long you should be in therapy depends on multiple factors. A main one being the type of issue you’re addressing in sessions. For more questions on therapy in Simi Valley, CA, contact us today!

 

In-person therapy in Simi Valley is ideal for those seeking a separate, safe space from their home. Check out our blog on Online Therapy or In Office Therapy to understand what format is best for you. Another great blog to read is ours on if you need Therapy or Medication to address your issues.

 

By seeking out support, you can begin your journey to feeling relief. You don’t have to go through finding the right level of support alone, either. By clicking here, you’ll read our blog on Information About Simi Valley Therapists.

 

Consider calling our therapy group at (805) 774-1506 for a free consultation on how you or a loved one can get started today!

 

Seek out a validating, safe environment with us today. We will help you get to where you want to be. Our therapists provide trauma therapy, teen therapy, individual adult therapy, LGBTQIA+ therapy, anxiety therapy, depression therapy, family therapy, and more in-office in Simi Valley, CA.