Are You Feeling Better In Therapy?

So you've done some therapy and you're feeling better now, huh? That's great! Ideally therapy does eventually help you feel better; however, results will vary. For those of you who've done therapy, you know it doesn't always feel good, especially at the beginning. A common misconception about mental health treatment is that it's going to solve problems and/or make you feel happier. While those are possible outcomes, in fact, sometimes there's dread about facing things in sessions, sometimes things you've never acknowledged come up, and sometimes you don't like the feedback from your therapist. All of this is to be expected. When you do start feeling better, it's tempting to say, "Okay, that's enough. I've done the work." Perhaps that is enough, it really depends on your goals. If your goal, for example, is to simply address the reason you started therapy, then it could be a shorter round of treatment. My clients will often check in, "Am I done?" For most outpatient therapy where you go for about an hour once a week or a couple of times per month, it's up to you when you feel you're ready to stop.

How much is it that the things you've done in therapy: processed emotions, learned skills, gained insights, etc. that are helping versus other aspects of your life or circumstances? For example, this time of year (I'm writing this on May 28th, in the Northern Hemisphere, so it's late spring) people generally start to spend more time out of the house. Being outside in the sunshine, moving your body, and seeing friends can all help with overall mood improvement. Most therapists experience fewer clients/sessions during the summer because of these factors, plus this being a popular time for vacations. Once your schedule changes, and you miss a few sessions, it can be harder to resume in a consistent way.

If you're feeling better, and things have improved in terms of meeting your goals, talk with your therapist about all of these factors and explore timing for wrapping up therapy that works best for your needs, preferences, and budget. Another thing to know: you're always welcome to reach out when you're ready to start again and check in about the possibility of returning to sessions, without judgment!

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