Therapy Duration Question Please
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Therapy Duration Question Please
| Mon, 03-07-2005 - 10:43pm |
A question please,,,regarding being in therapy. I realize that it is different for everyone but I do need to ask because I think about this a lot and don't have an answer for myself. How long does one 'usually' stay in therapy? I've been to a lot of T's,,,but the one I'm seeing now is the longest I've stuck with the same one. I've been
seeing her for 9 months now,,,once or twice a week. It is just sometimes I wonder,,,when do you stop? do you ever stop? how do you know when to stop? Is it a decision she makes for you or do you make it yourself? After seeing her for 9 months I can't honestly say I am any further ahead emotionally, in fact I think I've been set back some because of things we've talked about. Sometimes I think I could just go on seeing her forever,,,and then I also get a panicky feeling thinking about when I won't see her anymore. I suppose I should ask her if she feels I should continue going,,,though I know she will say yes as she also speaks of our 'next session.' This is stupid I know,,,I guess I'm just hoping to hear from others who have seen T's and how it went for them in regards of length of therapy and when you knew you were 'well enough' to stop going.
Thanks so much,,,,,Abby
seeing her for 9 months now,,,once or twice a week. It is just sometimes I wonder,,,when do you stop? do you ever stop? how do you know when to stop? Is it a decision she makes for you or do you make it yourself? After seeing her for 9 months I can't honestly say I am any further ahead emotionally, in fact I think I've been set back some because of things we've talked about. Sometimes I think I could just go on seeing her forever,,,and then I also get a panicky feeling thinking about when I won't see her anymore. I suppose I should ask her if she feels I should continue going,,,though I know she will say yes as she also speaks of our 'next session.' This is stupid I know,,,I guess I'm just hoping to hear from others who have seen T's and how it went for them in regards of length of therapy and when you knew you were 'well enough' to stop going.
Thanks so much,,,,,Abby

Hey Abby,
Abby and Lori,
Agree with what Lori said about this.
My 1st therapist was about 3 months or something. i really don't remember, but it would have been longer because we weren't done what we were working on, but he ended up going back to children's aid and i ended up getting tossed around again (first in hs from guidance to chaplain to nurse to nurse to dr) and the second one i saw for probably another 3 months and then ended up missing an appt and getting dropped
that was 5 yrs ago.. now i'm going back there and still waiting to get in
I kind of hate to answer this question but will anyways, In the past 20 years, I think I have gone 1 entire year without seeing someone. I have seen different therapists, sometimes 2 or 3 at the same time working on different issues. The one I am seeing now, I've been seeing since a year ago Dec (so 15 months). The therapist I saw the longest (if I am remembering right) was for 5 years. I have been on medicine for just as long as well. For a time, I saw my therapist 2 and 3 times a week, now am down to about every 2 weeks to a month. As for knowing when you are done, It's a good idea for you and your therapist to discuss it and plan for it and agree on it. (I have quit some tho, but just not going back). If a therapist thinks that you have gotten to a point where they feel that you have made enough progress and feel that the best thing to end therapy, then they will let you know that as well.
Sandra.