The science behind how long therapy takes

The science behind how long therapy takesThe science behind how long therapy takesFinding a therapist was one of the best decisions of my life.At the time, I had been struggling withsymptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder(although I didnt know thats what I was experiencing), an eating disorder (I didnt want to admit), and high anxiety levels (so high that my relationship and performance at work were taking a nosedive). I felt like my life was falling apart and I didnt know what to do.How Do I Know When To Find A Therapist?I made every excuse to avoid finding a therapist.I dont have enough time. Therapy costs too much. I can handle this on my own.Its too hard to find someone.But at the end of the day, I knew getting help from a professional was the only way I was going to feel better and I needed to make it work.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreCynthia Catchings, LCSW-S, and Vi rginia-based licensed Talkspace therapist shared that clients who are ready to succeed in therapy usually show the following signsTired of a situationTired of the negative emotions affecting themThe desire to be seen as soon as possibleFollow up with scheduling subsequent sessionsAttend sessions on a regular basisArrive on time and are eager to participateReceptive to suggestions from the therapistWhat Is The Time Commitment?Usually, therapists meet with clients weekly or once every two weeks. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach as it depends on your unique needs and goals. Some forms of therapy require daily sessionsI have clients that I have seen for years and are on a once a month maintenance plan and others that require once a week appointments, Catchings said. Similarities in clients that I see for longer periods of time aresevere depressionor anxiety or dependency issues.How Will I Know If Im Getting Better?I constantly asked my therapist this question when we firs t started working together. I wanted to make sure it was worth it. I wanted to see results ASAP and move on with my newly acquired happy life. Wasnt that what I was paying her for?I quickly realized it wasnt that simple. Instead of giving me a straight answer, my therapist taught me how to check-in with my body and mind, to elendice for myself how I felt about a certain thought, feeling, or situation. A big part of my healing has beenlearningabout the tremendous wisdom of our bodies and feeling empowered to voice my opinions instead of always looking for answers outside of myself.Every session is a good opportunity to empower a client, Catchings said. Utilizing the correct techniques and therapeutic tools can be very beneficial to help clients see that it is their responsibility to do the work and be open to change. Catchings added, As their therapist, I walk next to them and they guide me, but at the end, they always have the power to make the needed change.When Will I Be Done With Therapy?The amount of time you spend in therapy is deeply personal and depends onyour individual needs, goals, and resources. The number of recommended sessions varies by condition and treatment type, however, the majority of psychotherapy clientsreport feeling better after 3 months those with depression and anxiety experience significant improvement after short and longer time frames, 1-2 months 3-4.Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder typically take around 15-20 sessions for 50% of patients to feel improvement. Its been found that those treated withCognitive Behavioral Therapyreport feeling better after around 10-20 sessions. I have had many success stories with clients who had situational issues that only needed brief therapy services, said Catchings.However, it is important to mention that therapy is not only a way to solve a problem, but also a way of living, shared Catchings. In the same way that we go to the gym and exercise or tone our body, therapy is like ex ercise for our mind, heart, and soul.Over the years, Ive realized therapy isnt just about fixing one-off issues for me. Rather, its about regularly prioritizing my mental health so that I can show up as my best self no matter where life takes me.With an insatiable thirst for personal growth and commitment to living a happy life, I am grateful to have my therapist by my side as a skilled and trusted mentor to help me embrace every step of this wild and beautiful adventure called life.This article first appeared on Talkspace.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people