What's better, short or long-term therapy? The simple answer is, it depends. Short term counselling of say between 6 to 12 or even 24 sessions would not enable a client to work through and process association feelings that accompany deep rooted lifelong difficulties. Those lengths of sessions are typically more appropriate for symptom management such as dealing with stress at work, feelings brought up by the death of a loved one or the impact of divorce. In a sense short term counselling is used when problems are occurring and it can help deal with things before they become really disruptive. However if issues are managed ineffectively even with the best intentions then issues can be become entrenched and therefore require a longer timeframe for the difficulties to be worked through.
Also choice can be limited if you go the non-private route. Low cost or GP counselling services are usually short term/time limited irrespective of the therapeutic needs of the client. This is not a criticism rather I'm stating the reality of demand and limited financial funding.
Long term or open ended therapy is useful for deep rooted difficulties casued by childhood trauma for instance which can manifest in different forms of general and relational issues such as difficulty managing close relationships, low self confidence or persisting feelings of anxiety.
Overall short term counselling, generally speaking is more directed to problem solving and crisis management. Whilst long-term counselling works to generated change through reviewing embedded patterns which hinder a client’s ability to realise their full potential, have good quality relationships and enjoy the various experiences life has to offer.
That said a factor that often has a significant influence is personal circumstances. These often dictate the length of sessions a client can commit to in terms of finances as well as personal availability over a significant period of time. However I would say if you recognise the need for therapy then its better to do something than nothing.
Also choice can be limited if you go the non-private route. Low cost or GP counselling services are usually short term/time limited irrespective of the therapeutic needs of the client. This is not a criticism rather I'm stating the reality of demand and limited financial funding.
Long term or open ended therapy is useful for deep rooted difficulties casued by childhood trauma for instance which can manifest in different forms of general and relational issues such as difficulty managing close relationships, low self confidence or persisting feelings of anxiety.
Overall short term counselling, generally speaking is more directed to problem solving and crisis management. Whilst long-term counselling works to generated change through reviewing embedded patterns which hinder a client’s ability to realise their full potential, have good quality relationships and enjoy the various experiences life has to offer.
That said a factor that often has a significant influence is personal circumstances. These often dictate the length of sessions a client can commit to in terms of finances as well as personal availability over a significant period of time. However I would say if you recognise the need for therapy then its better to do something than nothing.
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