The Case for Long Term Therapy
In this post our therapist Pablo lays out the importance and benefits of long term therapy over short term bandaids
Thinking About Therapy? Here’s Why Committing to the Long Term Can Make All the Difference
When life gets difficult, it’s only natural to want a quick fix. Whether it’s a new self-help book, a mindfulness app, or a therapy session, we often hope for instant results. But when it comes to personal growth and healing, real progress often takes time—and that’s where long-term therapy can be essential.
At the heart of effective therapy is something called the therapeutic alliance—the relationship you build with your therapist. This relationship is based on trust, understanding, and mutual respect. Over time, it becomes one of the most important aspects of therapy. But how does long term therapy support your mental wellbeing and self-exploration?
1. Building Trust Takes Time
Healing requires us to be vulnerable, and that’s not something that happens overnight. Feeling truly safe and understood by your therapist is what allows you to open up about your fears, insecurities, and deeper struggles. While short-term therapy can help you manage specific issues, building a strong, trusting relationship with your therapist is what allows you to explore more personal, complex challenges.
The more you work together, the more comfortable you’ll become sharing the parts of yourself you may have been hesitant to reveal at first. This deeper level of trust allows your therapist to better understand your unique experiences and offer more tailored, effective support.
2. Uncovering Patterns in Your Life
Your life is a rich, complicated story made up of experiences, relationships, and challenges. A long-term relationship with your therapist allows them to get to know the full picture of you. In short-term therapy, you might focus on a specific issue—like managing anxiety or processing a breakup—but long-term therapy dives deeper into the patterns and themes that run through your life.
As your therapist gets to know your history, they can help you recognize recurring patterns, behaviors, and emotional responses. This understanding allows you to work on issues that may have been beneath the surface but are affecting your well-being in more ways than you realized.
3. Support Through Life’s Ups and Downs
Life doesn’t stay the same, and new challenges can come up even when you’ve already made progress in therapy. Whether you’re going through a big life change, like moving to a new city or changing careers, or dealing with personal struggles like grief or relationship issues, a long-term therapist becomes a stable source of support.
Because your therapist knows you and your background, they can offer personalized guidance that fits your specific needs. They’ll be able to help you navigate these transitions, offering insight and perspective that can only develop through that long term relationship.
4. Healing Trauma Takes Patience
If you’re dealing with trauma, especially deep or complex trauma, it’s important to understand that healing takes time. Trauma can’t be resolved in just a few sessions. Open-ended, long-term therapy gives you the space to process your trauma at a pace that feels right for you.
Knowing that your therapist will be there for you throughout the ups and downs of your healing journey can make the process feel less overwhelming. They’ll help guide you through setbacks and celebrate your breakthroughs, walking with you every step of the way.
5. Creating Real, Lasting Change
While short-term therapy can give you relief from symptoms, long-term therapy is more likely to create lasting change. Over time, you’ll work on reshaping unhealthy thought patterns, developing better coping strategies, and deepening your self-awareness.
Change often happens slowly and subtly. You might notice that you’re reacting less strongly to stressful situations or that your relationships are improving. Having a therapist by your side long-term means they can help you see and appreciate this growth, even if it’s gradual.
6. A Safe Place to Return to Whenever You Need It
Life is unpredictable. Even after you’ve made significant strides in therapy, new challenges may arise. A long-term therapeutic alliance means you always have a place to turn for support, whether it’s in a few months or years down the line. Having that consistent source of help can bring a sense of security and reassurance, knowing that your therapist will be there when you need them most.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Process
In a world where we’re often encouraged to look for quick fixes, long-term therapy offers something different—a chance for deep, meaningful, and lasting growth. Building a relationship with your therapist over time allows you to explore your emotions and experiences more fully, fostering insights and healing that can change your life.
If you’re thinking about therapy, consider the benefits of staying the course. Therapy is an investment in your well-being, and the connection you build with your therapist can be one of the most impactful relationships you’ll ever have. By embracing the long-term process, you’re giving yourself the best chance for deep healing, lasting change, developing a better sense of self and the knowledge that you can persevere through the past and future challenges of your life.