“Do psychologists ever have a "time frame" in mind?”

No. The first meeting with a psychologist is spent gathering as much information as possible and a brief assessment of depression, anxiety, etc. symptoms as possible within 60 minutes. The information allows the psychologist to determine a primarily/working diagnosis.

The additional information obtained during the second, perhaps third session will usually provide enough information to determine a probable time frame of length of the treatment.

Keep in mind, some individuals may be shy/hesitant to reveal all pertinent information during the first few sections. Also, the philosophy/research of some types of
therapy may also play a role in the duration of treatment (such as psychoanalysis tends to be years and cognitive behavior therapy tends to be shorter).

Yes depending on the issue. When I work with people that have anxiety and or panic attacks, I know we can work through it in a shorter period of time.

It depends upon the seriousness of the issue at hand or their theoretical orientation and the issues being treated whether therapy will last a long time or a short time. Sometimes it takes longer for patients who are in denial or are resistant. Some orientations are designed to get you in and get you out. Others are designed to stay with you for an extended period of self-examination so that you will gradually change and feel rather re-parented in the process. Others are faster and deeper, but they might also a bit more like having a hands on parent or coach, which includes criticisms for wrong choices and praise for good choices.

This is a complicated question and there is no absolute right or wrong answer. The newer largely is determined by a psychologists training and theoretical orientation. cognitive behavioralist often have clear ideas about how many session may be require to resolve a particular problem by addressing the elimination of the symptoms the result as a consequence of the psychological problem the patient is experiencing. They are not concerned with the underlying causes of the problems. Other psychologist, who typical identify themselves as psychodynamic, eclectic or psychoanalytically-oriented in terms of their theoretical approach to treatment are inclined to believe it is important to understand, to the extent that it is possible, the underlying causes of the psychological distress and believe that by doing so the symptoms with consequently be eliminated. Psychologists who take this position believe that if one eliminates the symptoms without addressing the underlying causes that the underlying problem will continue to fest, potentially get worse or express themselves with a different set of symptoms. Psychologists in the former camp tend to think in terms of short-term therapy that may last anywhere forma a few sessions to a maximum of several months. However, psychologist who identify themselves in the second group are unable to predict how long it will take to resolve and more fully understand the underlying root of the problem. Therefore, depending on the complexity of the problem, therapy may last for a brief amount of time to a more lengthy treatment that may include a significant amount of time to resolve the issues that need to be addressed to resolve the symptoms. That being said, they are likely to be able to give you some estimate, based on their experience treating the particular issues at hand with other patients an approximation of how long they believe it may take to resolve the issues that are using the symptoms that the patient is looking to eliminate through seeking psychotherapy.

This is a tricky but very astute question. In some cases we get an estimate fairly quickly, which is often related to the specific presenting problem. But these estimates aren't always accurate. The main issue becomes how the patient collaborates with the therapist, how involved they are in the process, and whether and how they follow suggestions. In an ideal therapy, the patient works hard, which speeds the healing.

Some patients have very, very serious problems and in those cases it's Important to say in therapy longer. But there are different kinds of therapy, as well as different approaches and beliefs. This will influence length of treatment.

Professionally, I try to move fast (although always mindful of how ready a patient is. Personally, I love when patients bloom early, and give my full blessing for them to go; always telling them they are welcome back if they want.


What complicates the speed is that our unconscious creates so much trouble, and without looking at it and accepting certain tendencies, the patient might be far from ready to go fast, and resistances to treatment go stronger. So there is less readiness. In these cases, it's most important to focus on this first (and of course deep listening, showing empathy and care, and cultivating trust). It's a delicate dance, and one that requires skill and sensitivity.

If you are interested in short term therapy communicate that to your therapist from the get go.
While I integrate different approaches, I am skeptical of professionals who give a number of sessions or months, because there is a lot to discover and different patients have unique styles, engagement in the process, and readiness. But yes, shorter therapies work for many. Through my 17 years of counseling, I learned that tools and coping strategies are wonderful and help a lot, but it doesn't last long. This is because it doesn't get to the root or bottom of the problem and doesn't resolve it.

I believe that it's best to stick around until that is accomplished. And I will repeat that it is the real commitment, and ironically dedication and courage that heal the problem faster. What matters more: how long you go to therapy, or fully resolving the problem? The only valid answer here is your own...

I have two questions for you: which would you prefer and why? Do you have any apprehensions about being in therapy?
No need to answer. Just suggestions for thoughts.

I hope this was helpful. But please know that therapists can think in very different ways. So my disclaimer is that all I said comes from my 17 years of counseling, what I learned from professionals I respected and who blew my mind away with insight and knowledge, and creativity, and some trial and error. What's most important, especially in the beginning (but better when always) is how you feel with your therapist, that you feel safe and can feel it will be possible to form a sense of connection with the therapist.

Best of luck!

Vanessa P. Caskey, Psy.D.

I think it all depends on the issues that the counselee presents. Obviously, some issues are more severe than others and would logically require a longer time frame to work through in counseling. It also depends greatly on the client and their willingness to work not only in session but outside of session. Change is hard, there's no magic bullet and it takes time. Typically, both the counselor and the therapist can agree when progress has been made and goals are met. At that time, I often will decrease session frequency gradually, starting at once a week, decreasing to every other week, and then once a month up until counseling is mutually agreed upon to discontinue.

It depends on the type of therapy you are looking for. CBT therapy is usually 8-10 sessions.

In the context you mention, psychotherapists are quite different depending on their theoretical orientation and their personal approach to treatment. Is therapy for many years better than a short-term fix? Impossible to say. Some therapists focus on the process of treatment, where there seems to be beginning, middle, and end phases. Others have a specific protocol depending upon the symptoms presented. Then there are those who are flexible in their approach and treat the presenting issues and are available if later issues arise and the patient wants to return. Your question is complex and the answer depends on many factors, including financial ones. Nevertheless, it is a very interesting question that I will present to my graduate students for discussion as I believe they should be aware of their own biases in this regard.

That is a tough question to answer I cannot really speak for others. I will tell you that many look at clients as a commodity than a client and will keep you there for as long as they possibly can. Some people may need years of therapy, but most don't and especially marriage and couples counseling. I use to think Psychologist had the most ethics ever but remember that most people who have a therapist, has masters level and not doctorate level. If I am seeing a client over a year, I will have a long talk with them, because I should be able to let them go on their own by then. It is not about money with myself, but it seems many professionals have sold themselves for the all mighty dollar and self love. When they are not suppose to be like that. You need to talk to your therapist or if your asking for someone else, then they need to talk to their therapist about this. If they talk around the question and never really answer you, then one should see about seeking another ones opinion!

The time frame for psychotherapy depends upon the problems a patient is presenting. Some types of issues require only a few sessions to treat. Other issues can take quite a long time to resolve. The time frame for psychotherapy will also be dependent upon the client's willingness to make changes in his/her life and motivation to cooperate with treatment. I would advise you to ask this question of the psychologist with whom you are meeting near the end of the first session to receive a more exact answer.

Ethically, it is our responsibility to set a treatment plan which helps to determine a time frame. Depending on the therapeutic approach and the diagnoses, some will be short-term therapy, some will be longer term.

A psychologist's role is to assist the client in becoming self-sufficient.and thus in identifying the issues, they should have a realistic time frame to accomplish this goal. If there is evidence of severe mental illness, a psychiatric consultation might be needed to facilitate the process.

Please keep in mind this answer is for information only and does not constitute treatment.

Whether a psychologist has a "time frame" in mind for therapy likely depends on the type of issue/goal the client is hoping to address and the techniques that are being used to address the goal. Some techniques, such as specific cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) protocols have recommended time frames for the full protocol. The time frames are often given in number of sessions to complete the treatment plan.

Other approaches, especially supportive and psychoanalytic/psychodynamic approaches, tend to not be focused on any specific time frame, but rather on general progress and how the client feels over time.

If you are currently seeing a psychologist of therapy, this could be a good question to address to them. You might ask to discuss how you feel you are doing so far towards your goals, whether the therapy is based on a time-limited approach, and that the psychologists thought are about likely length of treatment.

Also, sometimes a client seeks to address multiple issues at once, which could extend treatment, so chooses to continue to address additional concerns after the first issue is resolved. Lastly, some clients with chronic medical or mental health conditions continue in therapy for long periods of time as part of how the manage their chronic disease.

I believe there are two distinct reasons people seek out therapy - to treat their mental health symptoms or personal/developmental growth.

By personal/developmental growth, I am describing the type of therapy that clients view as a safe place to vent, get outside perspective, and just check in with a neutral 3rd party while working on the more major themes in their lives. Self-actualization or self-exploration is often the goal of this type of unstructured therapy and usually lasts many sessions (often years) at varying frequencies (weekly to monthly to sporadic bursts of attendance after short breaks from sessions).

On the other hand, the goal is diagnosing and treating mental health symptoms, which usually occur over a set period of time that is determined by the insurance or managed healthcare company paying/authorizing services. This type of therapy tends to be briefer and more focused, particularly because clients want to experience relief from their symptoms as quickly as possible. Between Insurance needing to approve authorized number of sessions and research conducted on various disorders, we have been able to establish timelines and standards for the number of therapy sessions a typical client is likely to need to alleviate their symptoms.

So, in short, most likely yes, but it depends on the client, their goals, and who's paying for treatment.

That will depend on the orientation of the psychologist & goals of the client for psychotherapy. Generally, it is a case by case treatment course tailored to the unique needs and wishes of each client.