How Long Does Therapy Take?

"How much longer does therapy have?" This is a question usually asked at the beginning of the process. I'll explain why shortly.

"How long will therapy last?" The short answer is that there's always work to be done. Therapy is a right and also a privilege. By the way, it's also a privilege for me to provide therapy. Inner work on primary wounds and traumas is a growth-promoting space that improves life satisfaction, self-confidence, emotional well-being, and daily functioning. So continue as long as you want.

"Can't you even roughly estimate how long it will take?" It depends on the reason for seeking therapy. But mainly on the depth of personal trauma — how much is there beneath the surface, and how much care is needed to fill the gaps in the foundation, to strengthen, stabilize, and allow a base from which to grow up to the treetops.

"Okay but how long will it take?" Usually this is a question from the beginning. When it's time to end, we'll know together. And that's a magical and also sad moment of farewell.

"So how will we know therapy should end?" We'll feel it. Your feeling of wanting to continue without our regular session will become clear to you, and there will be space and an open invitation to talk about it in our meeting. It's always a moving moment. The sum of a journey — as we've processed and provided care for the primary trauma, new connections have formed in the brain, and they will provide care for the wounded parts of the psyche. This is how we've grown your support for yourself, and that is where therapy will end. And in simpler terms — when the goal you had in seeking therapy has been achieved.

"And if I want to return to therapy in the future?" I always promise that 'I'm not going anywhere.' Because that is part of my commitment and the sense of security created within the therapy — that I am here for you.