How Often Should I Go to Therapy? How Many Therapy Sessions Do I Need?

When you start your journey with therapy, it can feel daunting. The most common questions involve how often one should go, and how effective the practice actually is. However, the frequency of your therapy sessions is specific to you and your needs. Typically, once a week is standard, especially in the beginning of your journey. Therapy is a constant effort, and requires cooperation between you and your therapist. It takes work to get the best results. Most therapists recommend no less than biweekly sessions. If you go too infrequently, it will hinder your progress and prolong your time. It should not feel like a chore, but rather something you are continuously working towards.

How Often Should I Go to Therapy?

Remember, this is different for everyone. There are a variety of factors that influence the frequency of therapy sessions. When you begin meeting with your therapist, you will work to create a treatment plan. This plan will articulate your goals for therapy by assessing your issues, and come up with a schedule for how often you should meet. Some factors that may influence your timeline are: how long you have struggled with these issues, how severely they impact your everyday life, and how motivated you are to sort them out. The cost, availability, and transportation factors are also influences to be aware of. Be upfront with your therapist about your concerns and what you can and cannot commit to.

When we say ‘therapy’ we are talking about a variety of different forms. Some of these approaches require different frequencies. Some are best fitting for behavioral issues and aimed at getting quick results (reducing the severity of symptoms). Others work through deeper issues, such as personality disorders. As a rule of thumb, consider starting with weekly sessions to keep yourself engaged and accountable.

How Many Sessions Do I Need?

Again, it will vary based on your individual needs. The success rate will be different for every version of therapy and every person who participates. The two most important stages to consider are full recovery and reliable improvement. Each of these stages has their own timeline. What constitutes a ‘full recovery’ depends on the nature of your situation and can vary widely. Reliable improvement is easier to quantify. It means seeing noticeable, positive changes and this can actually be achieved in a short period of time. One study found that about 30% of clients may only need 3 or so sessions to achieve benefits. 50% will likely achieve these benefits after 8 sessions, and 75% after fourteen sessions.

Another study found that higher session frequency resulted directly in a faster recovery.

Some problems and issues will need more attention and time than others. In general, clients who want help with more serious issues will need more treatment sessions.

A Final Thought from Mental Treat

Like with most things and life, the more you work toward your therapy journey and put time and commitment into it, the better results you will see. Therapy is designed to improve our mental health, provide us with coping mechanisms, improve sleep patterns, and much more. Finding a therapist who you can trust can bring big, noticeable changes quickly. There are countless benefits to developing a relationship with a therapist. A weekly commitment is worth the time and effort, especially if you are ready to create meaningful change for yourself.

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Sean McCormick

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