Just like your physical health, your mental health needs treatment and care. Therapy can benefit anyone who is experiencing mental health challenges and symptoms. Still, the timeline of progress isn’t always easy to figure out because of factors that vary from person to person.

Research shows that approximately half of therapy clients experience significant improvement of their self-reported symptoms in 15-20 sessions. To get a better idea of how long it might take for therapy to help you, here are five factors to consider:

• Severity of symptoms or challenges 

Everyone has their own reasons for starting therapy, and some are more challenging than others. Some people may only need short-term treatment to navigate a life change (e.g., a breakup). However, those with persistent mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression may need to spend more time in treatment in order to identify the root of their symptoms and learn how to break negative thought patterns. Experiencing multiple mental health conditions can also affect the length of time it will take to see the benefits of treatment.

• Type of therapy

Psychotherapy involves talking to a licensed professional who can help you look at your mental health challenges from every angle and learn skills to cope with them. There are multiple approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, that they can take to help you reach your mental health goals.

It can take some trial and error for a therapist to figure out which approach will work best for your symptoms, and approaches can be combined to personalize your treatment. Your response to different therapies can play a big role in how quickly you benefit from your sessions.

• External stressors or life circumstances

If you’re already experiencing improvements from your therapy sessions, you might encounter roadblocks in your progress because of unforeseen circumstances, such as losing a loved one or a sudden job change. 

When you’re affected by things that are out of your control, it can take a toll on your mental health and require more therapy sessions to navigate the concerns. People with persistent stressors, such as family issues or money struggles, can take a while to feel significant benefits from therapy because it can seem like the stressors are never ending.

• Willingness to change

Asking for help is a big step in your mental health journey, but actually absorbing the help being given is easier said than done. Actively engaging in treatment and being open with your therapist plays a key role in how quickly you experience the benefits of it.

People in therapy see the quickest results when they truly want to be there, not when they feel they are supposed to or when they’re forced to go by someone else. You should be committed to addressing your issues and changing your way of thinking; in other words, you put in the work and follow your therapist’s suggestions.

• Connection to your therapist

Effective therapy requires you to be vulnerable and share your internal challenges with a person who starts off as a stranger. Their demeanor should make you feel comfortable and establish a foundation of trust.

If the first therapist you meet doesn’t feel like the right fit for you and your needs, that’s OK. A 2022 Healthline survey showed that 48% of participants met with at least two therapists before finding the right one. The more connected you feel with your therapist, the more likely they are to have a positive impact on your mental health and help you make the changes you need to improve your overall quality of life.

Therapy isn’t a race, and you shouldn’t feel disappointed with yourself if it’s taking longer than you expected to feel the benefits of your treatment. In addition, it’s also possible that you need more intensive support beyond outpatient therapy. That’s where Lightfully comes in.

We utilize therapy in every level of care as a way to treat the whole person, not just the diagnosis. Our four levels of care can help you develop the skills you need to manage your challenges and become the best version of yourself:

• Residential Treatment 
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
• Virtual Services (vPHP/vIOP)

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.