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Are you looking into therapy for the first time?
Or have you been seeing your therapist for a while and are curious how long you will need to go?
You are not alone in being curious about how long your therapy will take to heal you. Let me help you better understand the time structure of a single therapy session and the more extended role of going to therapy.
How Long Does Therapy Last?
Therapy can last one session to several months or even years.
There is an often-used set number of 20-30 sessions in a 6-month period, which I find is a helpful way to give a concrete answer, yet not entirely true.
No online company or therapist can tell you exactly how many sessions you will need until you feel like you are in a good place to stop seeing them (yes, that means even us here at Never Alone.) No one can pre-determine how long it takes for therapy to work.
Why do I say this?
You are one of a kind. Out of the almost 8 Billion people in the world, there is no other human like you. That is not just in genetics but also psychologically. From how your brain is structured to the life experiences you have endured to why you are seeking our therapy.
So, yes, use the 6 months of 20-30 sessions as a concrete number to help keep you on the right path when times get tough, and it feels like it is not working. Because these times will certainly come up, it happens to all of us.
And keep in mind that the more consistent you are in going (ie. going two times a week compared to two times a month) will aid in speeding up the healing process.
A single therapy session
A single therapy session last 50-55 minutes. You will most likely be booked for an hour block with your therapist, but it will end a few minutes shy of that, so you can book your next session and do any needed paperwork.
How long does therapy last: In a glance
- Usually, several months to even years
- The more consistent you are, the better chance of shortening the overall time
- A single therapy sessions last 50 – 55 minutes
Explore our favorite online therapy apps
BetterHelp
Calmerry
Online-Therapy.com
FAQ
The best time to end therapy is when you feel confident in every aspect of your life. From mental health to relationships to work and more, you should feel complete and not curious about them being able to get better.
Therapy sessions go on as long as you need or can financially afford them. How long it takes to heal is different for each of us, but going six times a month for 6 months is a good start.
It is wise to go six times a month for six months for anxiety to start. Therapy lasts as long as it does for anxiety as it does for depression, stress, grief, sadness, and any other reason why you might be going.
