How Long Will I Be in Therapy?

 Hello and welcome back to the Therapist Diaries! 

Last week on the blog, we explored how to find the right therapist and choose a therapy approach that fits your needs. This week, we're diving into a question almost everyone asks before they begin: How long will I be in here?

You’ve found the right therapist, and maybe even picked a modality that feels like the right fit for you, you’re off to a great start, but now you start thinking about the logistics of it all… How long is this going to take? How many sessions? How often do I go? Will I be in therapy forever?

The short answer? Therapy doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all timeline. But there is a roadmap and from the very first session, your therapist should be planning for your exit. Sounds odd, right? You just started, and we’re already talking about goodbye?

Let me explain.

If I do my job properly then eventually we’re going to get to a point where I never have to see you in my office again. #sorrynotsorry! But the truth is, no matter what your presenting problem, Discharge is the Goal… Therapy is not meant to be forever. Good therapy empowers you to not need it anymore. From our very first session, we’re assessing not just what’s brought you in, but also what success will look like for you. As clinicians, we’re trained to help clients build insight, skills, and resilience, not dependency.

Think of therapy like physical rehab: we identify the injury, create a plan, start building strength, and eventually, you’re walking on your own again. Our job isn’t to keep you in therapy forever, it’s to help you get to a point where you don’t need us anymore.

So, How Often Will I See My Therapist?

Appointment frequency is based on need, goals, and life capacity. Most people start with weekly sessions. That consistency builds momentum and trust, both of which are key early on. Over time, you and your therapist might reduce to biweekly, monthly, or even as-needed check-ins as progress solidifies.

Some therapy models (like CBT) are  structured and relatively short, think 6 to 12 sessions. Others (like psychodynamic or trauma work) may take longer because they dig deeper and move slower for a reason.

Remember: therapy isn’t linear. You might come weekly for six months, take a break, then return for a tune-up when life throws you a curveball. That’s okay. That’s real life.

What Influences How Long Therapy Takes?

Your goals! Some people want to feel less anxious before a big life change. Others want to heal childhood trauma. Different goals = different timelines. The depth of the work.Are we learning coping skills or untangling years of emotional neglect?Consistency. Showing up, being honest, and doing the work outside of sessions makes a big difference.Your support system. Therapy tends to move faster when it’s not your only source of emotional support.

When Will I Know It’s Time to End?

The best therapists are transparent about progress. Discharge doesn’t happen overnight, and it shouldn’t be a surprise. You’ll talk about what’s working, what’s not, and whether your goals are being met. Some signs it might be time to transition:

* You’re handling stressors that used to overwhelm you.

* You're using skills we practiced without prompting and while on your own.

* You feel confident in your decision-making and self-awareness.

* You’re just… done. And that’s a great thing.

Some clients choose to check in every few months like a mental health “tune-up.” Others close the chapter entirely and know they can always return if needed. Either is valid.

I hope this post helps ease those nerves about engaging in therapy for the first time. I promise that therapy isn’t forever. It’s a tool. Sometimes it’s a life raft; sometimes it’s a mirror; sometimes it’s a gym for your brain. But it will have an end. That’s how you know it’s working.

So, how long will you be in therapy? Long enough to get what you came for, and maybe a little longer to make sure it sticks. The best part? You get to decide, with support, guidance, and someone walking beside you the whole way.

You’ve already taken the hardest step: considering therapy. From here, it’s about finding your path, your pace, and your peace.

Let me know below: What questions do you still have about starting therapy?

Until next time- be kind to your mind.

—The Therapist Diaries

For professional inquiries please reach out to georgina.m.lloyd@outlook.com