How long should you commit to seeing a therapist?

[listener1987]

I don't think it's possible to say how long you should see someone as it depends on your level of issues and whether it costs too much. Some free therapy is limited to so many sessions or has subsidized fees and that can make a difference. Often it's best for the therapist to say when, (honest ones) and I had one that said he could no longer help me as he had done all he could. That made me feel good that I had made progress, but I am aware there are therapists who milk their clients and that's when it's much harder to know if you are getting better or if they are just making money.
Sorry if that's skeptical, but I have heard of some that are like that.

Thankfully, I had the same experience with a therapist, who finally admitted that we had made all the progress we were going to, and suggested that it was time to see a doctor to talk about possible medication.

 

[GrubbyRose]

I would not do time limits myself. If a therapist was not helping, I would not stick around for any amount of time. I think that the best thing to do is look back at your last couple of sessions and see if you are making progress. If you are, then it is helping and is worth continuing, if not find something else. There is no reason to stick with something that is not working, but every reason to stick with something that is.

 

[Dybbuk Jones]

I almost feel like I should think of a time when I should stop seeing the therapist. I seem to be on a semi-permanent relationship with the therapist. Maybe that's not the way to do it. Maybe there should be an end goal in mind. As it stands now I kind of approach my therapist with the same mind that I approach exercise and my diabetes medication. It's something that I need to do to stay healthy and I should do it as often as possible.