Is six months of therapy enough?

[Anonymous]

I was dealing with some things in my life and tried therapy for the first time ever. In the beginning it was really helpful. We didn’t so much discuss the issue as much as we discussed my childhood, my parents, and things that shaped me growing up. We discussed work stressors. I felt great overall, and still do. But going to therapy now feels more like a chore than anything. I find that going out for a hike, or playing a round of golf with DH, or just taking a walk, to be more helpful mentally than driving 45 minutes round trip and sitting there talking about sort of depressing stuff for an hour. I’ve been putting off scheduling my next appointment for over a month. Is this a sign I’ve gotten everything I needed from therapy?

[Anonymous]

Yes it could be enough to get over whatever hump that was.

You might find a new stressor that needs new tools and you could go back for a few sessions.

I know a few people who use it life long because they have serious trauma, but most people use it short term.

[Anonymous]

Therapy can be a huge waste of money and time. It’s not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Depends. I mean, therapy is not supposed to feel good - it's supposed to feel like work that leads to healing or calming (through understanding) of some sort.

Do you still feel the way you did when you were driven to GET therapy? If so, then you need more.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you’ve gotten what you needed. I would talk to the therapist and share what you said above. It’s a completely normal (- d expected) progression — you’ve “graduated” for now and can keep the door open for future work together if ever needed.

Glad you’re feeling better!

[Anonymous]

*and expected*

[Anonymous]

It was enough for you at this point in your life. You might never go to therapy again, you might go for years, or you might talk to a therapist half a dozen times and be done. All ok.

[Anonymous]

I found that 6 months was what I needed to get me through a time of high stress with both work and family issues. By the end of the 6 months I had really shored up my coping strategies through therapy and also talked through a lot of issues. It would have been repetitive and a waste of both my time and the therapist's to keep going. But now I know that it's a helpful tool for me when I am in a high stress period. It's been about a year since I stopped going and I would definitely go back if needed.

[Anonymous]

People are different - if you’re at that point, it sounds like you got what you needed and you can always go back again if other things come up.

- a therapist

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much, everyone. I appreciate your replies.

Anonymous wrote:People are different - if you’re at that point, it sounds like you got what you needed and you can always go back again if other things come up.

- a therapist

How would you recommend I go forward? I wouldn’t mind keeping the door open, but have no interest in scheduling an appointment for anytime soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks so much, everyone. I appreciate your replies.

Anonymous wrote:People are different - if you’re at that point, it sounds like you got what you needed and you can always go back again if other things come up.

- a therapist

How would you recommend I go forward? I wouldn’t mind keeping the door open, but have no interest in scheduling an appointment for anytime soon.

Just let the therapist know you are taking a break and will reach out if you need to in the future. He/she should not pressure you to keep coming. But do let them know so that they can open up your slot for someone else.

- another therapist