Starting therapy, it is crucial to understand what our meeting will look like. The first visit, a psychological consultation, is essential to the therapeutic process. During this meeting, we strive to clarify any therapy-related questions that may arise. It’s not just a technical issue – building a bond between the client and therapist begins at this stage.

Psychological consultation is when we start creating a therapeutic relationship, which is the foundation of effective therapy. During this session, the client can ask questions about treatment. Each question is valuable, as it helps build trust and a sense of security.

The therapist’s role is to provide support in difficult times and build a bond with the client. This therapeutic relationship is one of the critical elements of successful therapy. With it, the therapeutic process may bring the expected results.

Understanding what our meeting will look like is the first step towards a successful therapy. Remember, it’s always worth asking questions about therapy – it will help you feel more comfortable and secure during the sessions.

This is a question that often comes up at the beginning of our therapeutic journey. The duration of therapy is a personal matter, depending on many factors – from the type of problem and its intensity to your personal goals that you would like to achieve through changes in your life.

Each of us is unique, and the psychological problems we may encounter come in different shapes and intensities. Therapy must always be tailored to the individual needs of the person – from the nature of the difficulty to its intensity. Lighter life challenges may require fewer therapeutic sessions, while chronic disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders may require longer treatment time.

Different therapeutic approaches can also influence the duration of therapy. Cognitive-behavioural therapies, which focus on a specific problem, are usually shorter, while broader methods may require more time.

Remember, therapy is not a sprint, it is a marathon. It is a process that takes time and patience, but the reward is invaluable – a healthier and more satisfying life. Trust your therapist and the process – every step you take on this path brings you closer to your goal.

The effectiveness of therapy is gauged by the achievement of goals that you set along with your therapist. Discussing the duration of treatment should be a key part of your conversations with your therapist, as determining the length of therapy is often uncertain and is a topic that is repeatedly revisited throughout the course of treatment.

In some cases, additional treatment goals may be sequentially negotiated, tailoring the therapeutic process to your progress. Scientific research has shown that there is a positive correlation between the duration of treatment and clinical outcomes. In other words, a greater number of individuals experience significant change or a return to health when the duration of therapy is adequately long.

Therefore, it is crucial to give therapy enough time and to have realistic expectations regarding its duration. Before making a decision to terminate therapy, it’s important to ensure that you’ve given yourself enough time to achieve the established goals.

Recent studies suggest that an average of 15 to 20 therapeutic sessions are typically needed for therapy to bring measurable benefits – a conclusion reported by the patients themselves. An increasing number of what are referred to as short-term therapies (for example, 12 to 16 weekly sessions) have scientifically proven their effectiveness, bringing about clinically significant improvements.

However, in practice, both patients and therapists often choose to extend therapy to 20-40 sessions. This allows for a more complete symptom remission and fosters confidence in the skills needed to maintain the benefits of treatment. Clinical research data suggest that individuals with coexisting conditions or certain personality difficulties may require longer therapy, for example, 12 to 18 months, for therapy to be effective.

Additionally, there are individuals with chronic problems who may need intensive therapeutic support, such as maintenance therapy to reduce the risk of repeated psychiatric hospitalizations. While such cases constitute a minority among those in need or seeking treatment, they are important to consider in the context of therapy effectiveness and duration.

Before embarking on your therapy journey, it is beneficial to think through the topics you want to address. The first visit to any therapist can indeed feel slightly uncomfortable. You are meeting with a stranger to discuss potentially sensitive issues. Where do you even begin? Rest assured, a therapist is a trained and qualified professional who will gently ease your worries and guide you through your initial session. One method to alleviate anxiety can be to prepare a list of concerns to discuss with your therapist during the first meeting.

Consider incorporating topics such as:

Present challenges you are facing and would like to tackle in subsequent sessions.

Recent alterations in your personal self or life circumstances that prompted you to seek therapy.

Measures you have already taken in efforts to improve your situation.

Observations shared by family or friends (e.g., have they expressed concerns about certain behaviours or moods?).

Information about your personal circumstances (family situation, remarkable events, etc.).

The duration you have been experiencing your issues (for example, if you have social phobia, has it been bothering you for years or is it a new development?).

Even if you feel your thoughts or feelings may seem unreasonable or inappropriate, do not hesitate to bring them up, as they may be crucial to a positive therapeutic outcome.

As your therapist, I deeply respect and emphasize the importance of confidentiality. All therapists, as part of their ethical duties, are required to protect information shared by clients. Except in a few rare circumstances, such as a belief in potential harm to oneself or others, they cannot discuss your details with anyone else without your explicit consent. During our initial meeting, I will thoroughly explain the principles of confidentiality and their boundaries to you.