How Long Should You Stay In Therapy?

[ladybug08]

Just wondering how long have most of you been in therapy?....I've been in therapy almost two years since properly diagnosed with PTSD. I do have better coping skills, and I am very, very aware of my triggers. When do you think it's time to leave the birds nest?

 

[Deleted member 541]

I was in therapy for 25 years off and on, then for a steady 2 1/2 years working with a really good therapist.

Leaving therapy is an individual thing, and there is no set time frame. Some people can be in therapy for a couple of months, or years, and others all their lives. I would think that it depends on how hard you work at getting healthier, how much you face your trauma while doing this, how sick you get, and how long it takes you to recover.

 

[Manic11]

If you believe you are ready. If it turns out that you aren't, you can always go back.

Manic

 

[NomadHeart]

Therapy is an individual journey as She Cat has mentioned. There are so many variables that influence this as well. But for me the top two are: the impact of the trauma in my life, and the therapist I am working with.

I have been in therapy for 10 years with a total of 4 therapists and 7 guidance counselors at various schools and colleges. ( I moved a lot). I have finally found a Therapist who is amazing as well, which I know is very lucky. She helps me see my progress on days when I feel I will never get better, or feel stuck. Which is also reassuring.

Like Manic11 stated, you can always go back. There is nothing wrong with having an outsider with training to help you sort through thoughts, emotions and decisions throughout your life.

I think it's wonderful that in these two years of therapy you were able to discover your triggers, and learn coping mechanisms. Discuss your progress with your T and see how they feel about your work. Maybe you can try a trial run where you see them less. For example I see my T once a week for a two hour session. During times of struggle, I see her twice a week. Maybe you could reduce your sessions to once every two weeks, or once a month and see how you manage with that.

I wish you luck with your journey and good health.

 

[evergreen]

Ladybug,

I would think the time to stop would be when you feel you are ready to live without therapy. You may find more things that come up and have to go back to therapy later, but that's ok. It is kind of like trying out your new skills on life independently and seeing what needs more tweaking.

Best wishes, Evergreen

 

[ISupportHer]

I agree with the previous entries. Especially the tapering off as far as the frequency. Even if down to, say, monthly, the therapist would always be available to work you in if you needed to talk sooner! Good luck and I wish you well on your journey to healing. No matter how long or short that path is for you individually.

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

I also think that tapering down is a good idea - also - it helps to keep you in the system so to speak.

For example - my daughter did intensive therapy for about 2 1/2 years - then tapered down to once a month for check-ins and then went to no appts. Its now been about 2 years since then - and when she has difficult times she can still call her T and she will work her in - sometimes it only takes one appt. to help her work through it- other times she'll go a few sessions.

I am seeing my T once a week - since March - and know I'm not ready to step back to even every 2 weeks - so I do think its an individual decision.

 

[jefferylee]

DITTO...to all those who advocate tapering off. I'm 4 years into therapy with a wonderful woman who is a trauma specialist and I really don't even think in terms of ending our relationship. In the beginning, it was once a week and often twice weekly during some especially trying times. After around 2 1/2 years I started seeing her every two weeks for the next year and now, as I'm feeling healthier, I just call for a session whenever I need to, which averages about once a month or so.

The thing is that at each step along the way, I just kinda "knew" when I had reached the point when I was ready to move to the next phase in my recovery, and of course you can always go back to more frequent visits as needed...so spread your wings a little and take a short flight from the nest to see which way the wind is blowing :)

Peace and Hope...jefferylee

 

[Mina]

Great advice so far. I would add that if you feel therapy is no longer beneficial to you, then it's time to either get out or seek a new therapist.

I've been in therapy for around 15 months now, I think. About six months ago, I cut back from once a week to once every two weeks. That's worked pretty well so far. There have been 3 or 4 times where I've scheduled a session during the inbetween weeks, mainly when I've been dealing with something difficult that's popped up unexpectedly. I anticipate eventually scheduling to every 3 weeks, then once a month, then on an as-needed basis.

 

[Nicolette]

I think there are too many variables to answer this question in general.

The variables as I see them are:

• Current situation - amount of triggers
• Length and severity of trauma
• Memory in relation to trauma
• External varying factors which crop up like an illness of a loved one
• Re-occurrence of trauma eg Complex PTSD where there is a tendency to be re-victimised
• Ability to relate to therapist
• Ability to find tools to assist in healing
• Indirect events which cause reactions (not triggers but subconscious reactions with no evident cause)
• Support network
• Ability to express and discuss trauma (you could go to therapy religiously for 5 years and not touch on much due to fear).
• Personal situation - ability to fall over. Some people may be willing to deal with their trauma but may need to hold a family together so may be only able to take on small chunks to avoid being unable to function at home afterwards
• Desire and determination to get well

And I am sure there are more.....

 

[sigh]

I feel like an old clunker. Right now, I need a paint job, new tires, the transmission has slipped off the engine block, etc.. Therapy works through those things. Ultimately, I'll just need oil changes.

 

[BethRSA]

Sigh,

I like your analogy. :thumbs-up May we all get to the point where we just need oil changes!