How Much Will Change in Just One Month of Therapy?
You’re getting curious about trying therapy and you ended up here? You’re in the right place - today we’re going to talk about how long it takes for therapy to “work” and the several factors that goes into the recovery and healing process. An important part of the PYE project is to help individuals access therapy by providing one month for free. Because of that, we wanted to share how much can change in one month of therapy, as well as a realistic idea of the true recovery time.
Can you recover in just one month of therapy?
As it turns out, it IS possible to see noticeable improvements in just one month! On the shorter range of recovery for those struggling with anxiety or depression, it takes only one to two months to see improvements! This is pretty cool, because this means that progress can be made from session to session and life-changing tools can be provided in therapy to help individuals cope through their daily lives in just a few sessions!
How long it takes for someone to fully resolve their issues depends on many factors and there is no one-size-fits-all to how long it will take you. That said, there are factors that we can look at to get a better idea and we’ll dive deeper into that!
What to expect in the first month
While it is absolutely certain that someone can resolve their issues in therapy within just a month, here are some more realistic expectations for your first month of therapy:
Learn various coping skills and strategies to manage your symptoms
Improved self-awareness
Consistent support and guidance as you work to make positive changes in your life, which can help change your trajectory or path!
A sense of relief due to having a safe and supportive space to process emotions
Improvements in communication skills and relationships
A clearer understanding of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Some other expectations in therapy is for things to get uncomfortable. Remember that being uncomfortable, especially at the start, is part of the process of therapy for most people! Here are the other realistic, but sort-of-unpleasant and sort-of-necessary parts of your first month or few months of therapy:
1: You might not know what to talk about. The way I personally get prepared is by taking notes throughout my day about the things that I’m struggling with (conversations, relationships, work, behavior patterns, unwanted thoughts, etc). I bring those notes to my appointment! I highly recommend this as a way to get more comfortable in your appointments, especially if you have anxiety and aren’t the most comfortable with thinking on the spot.
2: You might not click with your therapist right away — or at all! Don’t let this deter you; therapists have different styles & techniques. You may just need to give it more time or try a different therapist that you can connect with better.
3: You might initially feel worse after therapy; you’re digging up weeds and pulling out old trauma. You’re going to get dirt everywhere and it might feel messy. But this is an effective tool to allow new flowers to grow. Lean into and expect the growth process to be filled with all kinds of emotions (which your therapist can guide you through).
How long does it take for therapy to “work?”
The average time for anyone who has ever gone to therapy is about 3 months.
That said, there are many factors that go into how long it will take for each individual and they include:
the type of therapy
the severity of the issue being addressed
the client-therapist relationship
the individual's commitment to the process
For example, those struggling with depression & anxiety, they can typically expect to experience improvements and resolve after anywhere from one to four months! If we look at those struggling with PTSD, only half can expect to recover within four to five months (or 15-20 sessions).
To go even further, some may see improvements after a few sessions, while others may take a few years to experience significant progress. Some people even choose to attend therapy for an extended period of time, or potentially for the rest of their lives. This can be the case for individuals who have chronic conditions such as severe depression or anxiety, or for those who have experienced trauma and wish to continue to process and heal from it.
The length of time in therapy will depend on the individual's specific needs and goals, and the progress they are making towards those goals. You can set individual goals with a therapist to get a better understanding of how long it might take for you to see improvements!
How do you know if it’s time to try therapy?
You’re feeling hopeless towards your situation
Your life is being negatively impacted by your symptoms of anxiety or depression
You’re struggling to process your emotions
Your quality of life has decreased due to your mental health
Sometimes it may not feel like the “right time” to try therapy simply because “talking about feelings” is uncomfortable, unpleasant, and often even traumatic to recollect and share with a stranger.
The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that therapy can lead to improvement in symptoms in 70-80% of individuals seeking treatment for mental health concerns. Ultimately, therapy is highly beneficial in helping individuals improve, process, and understand their emotions better in order to increase their quality of life.
What are the signs to tell if therapy is working for you?
Reduced symptoms: you may notice a decrease in the severity or frequency of symptoms related to your mental health condition
Improved mood and outlook: You may feel more positive and optimistic, and experience an overall improvement in your mood.
Improved relationships: You may notice that your relationships with others have improved, and you are able to communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts more easily.
Improved relationship with self: You may have a greater understanding of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and be more in touch with your emotions. This may include improved self-confidence and self-trust!
Increased feelings of empowerment: You may feel more in control of your life and have a greater sense of self-esteem and confidence.
Better at processing emotions: you’re experiencing less drastic mood fluctuations and your reactions more apropriately match the situation
Better coping skills: You may find that you are better able to manage stress and difficult emotions and that you have developed new coping strategies to deal with challenges
Achieving personal goals: You may find that you are able to make progress towards personal goals and aspirations, such as improving your career, relationships, or overall well-being
It's important to remember that therapy is a process and that progress may not always be linear. Some weeks, you may feel like you're making great strides, while other weeks you may feel like you're not making much progress. However, if you are consistently feeling better and making progress towards your goals, therapy is likely working for you!
Why would someone only go to therapy for just one month?
There are several reasons why someone may only attend therapy for only a month! The ultimate reason would be because they feel that they have gained the tools and understanding they need to manage their symptoms and don’t feel the need to continue therapy! They may have also found that therapy is not a good fit for them and they don’t feel comfortable continuing. It’s okay if this happens: therapy doesn’t have to be for everyone, but also remember that getting out of your comfort zone is needed for your own growth. Try to really consider what it is you need, consider a new therapist with different methods or experience, and consider whether you’re just resisting the uncomfortable and holding yourself back from growth.
Additionally, cost and access to therapy can be a big factor in determining the length of time someone attends therapy. If the reason you’re unable to attend therapy is due to finances, please apply for therapy or request additional resources here!
The time it takes for therapy to work varies for each individual and depends on various factors such as the type of therapy, the severity of the issue being addressed, the client-therapist relationship, and the individual's commitment to the process. On average, it may take several weeks to several months of consistent therapy sessions for a person to start noticing positive changes. However, it's important to remember that therapy is a process and results may not be immediate, but with time and effort, therapy can be effective in helping individuals address and overcome mental health challenges, even in just one month of therapy!
