How long does therapy take?
Most people find that they can resolve their concerns within 12-16 sessions. However, some people need more time in therapy. This depends on several things, including the complexity of the problem, how long the problem has occurred, and even how much time you can devote to working on the problem between sessions.
As psychological needs and goals vary from individual to individual, there is no easy answer to this question. In general, however, short-term therapy is typically best-suited to individuals who have very specific goals and needs, such as overcoming a certain phobia or giving up unwanted “habits” such as smoking, overeating, etc. The duration of this therapy tends to be anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 months, during which the therapist may be relatively directive, working with the individual to cultivate goal-oriented patterns and behaviors.Contrastingly, long-term therapies tend to be less structured in approach. Although specific goals and behaviors are targeted, long-term psychotherapy takes the time to go deeper and understand the origins of unwanted feelings and behaviors. This approach can alleviate acute emotional issues. In addition, long-term therapy is particularly well-suited to addressing more subtle emotional issues, such as pervasive feelings of dissatisfaction.
Each child is different and there are a multitude of factors that need to be considered when determining how long a child will need to be in therapy. This can only be determined after a comprehensive evaluation is completed and a plan of care is established with family and individual goals. Children that complete the Sensory Learning Program and then participate in therapy tend to achieve goals in a timelier manner.
The length of treatment for clients varies. Client needs dictate length of treatment. Some only need intermittent or brief therapy, in the order of weeks. Others may need longer periods, even years of therapy. Please see the section on therapeutic approach as to why someone’s history would affect treatment length.
