How Long Does Therapy Last?

Therapy of any persuasion should last only as long as it is being effective for the client(s). There is not a standard duration. However, it is the case that for many problems--based on experience and research with various types of interventions--  therapists can offer an  expected time line. In any event, it is reasonable to ask "how long will therapy last?".

One thing to bear in mind is that the problems that bring people to therapy have an onion-like quality. After dealing with the outer layers of the onion it may become apparent that there are other issues that now surface. For example, a client may come initially because of social anxiety. This does not require large amounts of time overall. But as the client makes progress in that area (social anxiety) other issues (e.g., eating disorders) may surface for the first time in therapy. Frequently people may find themselves facing past issues that until now had been dormant. All of these are possibilities, but their likelihood varies considerably with each case.

This is not to suggest that every problem has some kind of deep seated cause and therefore terrible things are likely to jump out! It is only to underscore the idea that problems can be layered, and it is often wise to have a fairly good idea about what one wants to accomplish in therapy. Today one hears much about managed health care, and especially the limitations insurance providers places on the length of therapy. In some ways this means that briefer therapies are more likely to be offered. However, therapy can be brief by design, not by default. Many problems do respond to active forms of brief therapy. Although there may be a "dose effect " (the more the better) this certainly has not been established. The real issue is knowing whether therapy is making progress.  No one would argue that more of something ineffective is better than less. Changes due to therapy tend to happen earlier rather than later.

There are, to be sure, forms of personality disorders that will require as many as two years of therapy. But problems such as depression, marital discord, anxiety issues, among others, are generally not designed to be long term (a year or more) therapy. Again, there are exceptions for individual cases, and one can only give broad outlines.

How long therapy will last depends upon the client and the provider. In any event, this is definitely an "up front" issue to be discussed by both parties. I would be concerned with any provider who cannot readily discuss with you or who is unable to answer the question after proper assessment.

Therapy Links

APA Clinical Psychology