• The length of treatment for psychological problems will necessarily vary from one individual to another. Essentially, the treatment (type and duration) should always be matched appropriately to the nature and severity of the person’s presenting difficulties. Acute difficulties usually require fewer treatment sessions than do chronic conditions. Moreover, the length of treatment also varies with the type of treatment provided; cognitive-behavioral treatments, which focus on a specific problem, are generally briefer than are psychotherapies with a broader focus.
  • It is important to consider the following when determining the length of treatment:
  • Therapy successfully ends when the patient has accomplished the goals mutually agreed upon with the therapist.
  • Discussion of treatment length should be part of your conversation with the therapist.
  • Treatment length is often tentative and revisited throughout the course of treatment.

“Research has generally found a positive relationship between treatment length and clinical outcomes such that more individuals will show significant change or recovery with increasing treatment length. It is therefore important that you have a sufficient amount of treatment and reasonable expectations for treatment length before deciding treatment is not working.”