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Showing 6 answers for tag “what-to-expect”.
How often do we meet for therapy? — Most people start with weekly sessions, especially at the beginning. As things improve, sessions often shift to every other week or “as needed,” depending on your goals, schedule, and what support feels most helpful.

Common rhythms:

  • Weekly (One to two sessions): building momentum, higher stress, active symptoms, or new skills
  • Every other week: maintenance, integration, steadier symptoms
  • Periodic check-ins: as-needed support once you’re stable

We’ll choose a pace that feels effective and sustainable.

#what-to-expect#planningPublished Dec 12, 2025

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How long does therapy take? — It depends on your goals and what you’re working on. Some people come for a focused stretch of therapy over a few months, while others prefer longer-term work to understand patterns and build lasting change.
  • Short-term (often 6–12 sessions): skill-building, decision points, specific symptoms, or a clear goal.
  • Medium-term (3–6 months): deeper coping, relationship patterns, stress cycles, and sustained changes.
  • Longer-term: complex histories, longstanding patterns, identity/relational work, or ongoing support.

A good plan is something we revisit together as your needs evolve.

#what-to-expect#planningPublished Dec 12, 2025

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How long does an assessment take? — Many assessments involve 2–4 appointments plus a feedback session, depending on complexity and your referral question. I’ll outline the expected timeline at the start so you know what to expect.
  • Timing depends on the scope of testing, records review, and the questions we’re trying to answer.
  • I aim to keep the process efficient while still thorough enough to be genuinely useful.
#assessment#what-to-expect#planningPublished Dec 12, 2025

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How do I know if therapy is working? — Signs include feeling more grounded, more understood, and more able to approach challenges. You might notice better communication, fewer spikes in distress, or clearer boundaries.
  • Therapy “working” isn’t always feeling better every week—it can also look like responding differently when life is hard.
  • Helpful signs: more self-understanding, more flexibility, and a growing sense that you have options.
  • If you’re unsure, it’s completely appropriate to talk openly about progress and goals.
#what-to-expect#first-sessionsPublished Dec 12, 2025

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What happens in the first month of therapy? — Early sessions usually focus on building trust, clarifying what you want help with, and getting a shared plan in place. Many people start noticing small shifts—more clarity, better coping, or steadier emotions—within a few weeks.
  • In the first few sessions, you’ll usually talk through what’s bringing you in, what’s worked before, and what you’d like to be different.
  • You may also start practicing a few concrete tools while you and your therapist learn what helps you most.
  • Progress often looks like “small but real” changes at first.
#what-to-expect#first-sessionsPublished Dec 12, 2025

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Is starting therapy supposed to feel uncomfortable? — Yes—some discomfort is common. Therapy slows things down and brings attention to areas you may have been pushing aside, and a good therapist helps that feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
  • It can feel strange to talk openly with someone new, especially if you’re used to handling things alone.
  • The goal isn’t to flood you—it’s to build capacity, pace the work, and help you feel more steady over time.
  • If sessions consistently feel too intense, that’s useful feedback to bring into the room.
#starting-therapy#first-sessions#what-to-expectPublished Dec 12, 2025

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These answers are meant to provide general information, not individualized psychological advice or treatment.

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