An important question that is often asked at the onset of therapy is how many sessions might be needed. The pacing of sessions varies significantly from person to person, depending on personal circumstances, preferences and the focus of the therapeutic work. It also varies between therapeutic approaches; some therapies are designed to be shorter-term, while others aim to address more longstanding difficulties and thus can be longer in duration. During the initial assessment, we will aim to give you an indication of the likely number of sessions, or the approximate duration of therapy, according to your individual circumstances and goals.
Therapy sessions usually take place weekly or fortnightly. Research evidence suggests that having sessions regularly can increase momentum, and provides opportunities for reviews and problem-solving, both of which are important for making sustained changes. There is of course flexibility in the frequency of sessions, depending on your circumstances, and the timing of sessions can also be decided upon together with your therapist. Additionally, together, we will identify strategies you can try out between sessions, in order to continue working towards your goals.
Individual sessions are typically 50-60 minutes and family and couples sessions are 90 minutes. Occasionally, we recommend an extended individual session as some strategies can require a bit more time (such as some trauma-focused or anxiety-focused interventions).