Therapy usually takes longer than first-time patients expect. Sometimes this is because they go into treatment for a specific problem, only to discover deeper, more chronic difficulties. And, as we shall see, there is a reason why difficulties become chronic. Regardless of the type of psychotherapy or personal problem, the reason people get so impatient with the process is relatively universal because they desperately want to feel better.
Therapy takes a long time to show results because it took a lifetime to adapt to these patterns that no longer work. A therapist can help people dismantle maladaptive behaviors and beliefs and develop new ones faster than people on their own, but it's still an investment of time. Sometimes, therapists and treatment centers have long waiting lists, especially if there is an increased demand for mental health services. Contacting a therapist requires courage.
Once you do, the last thing you want to do is have to wait to see someone. The duration of treatment for psychological problems will necessarily vary from one individual to another. Basically, treatment (type and duration) must always be adequately adapted to the nature and severity of the difficulties presented by the person. Acute difficulties usually require fewer treatment sessions than chronic conditions.
In addition, the duration of treatment also varies depending on the type of treatment provided; cognitive-behavioral treatments, which focus on a specific problem, are usually shorter than psychotherapies with a broader approach. So how long does it usually take for treatment to work?.
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