Don’t put a timetable on recovery

Like most people, I entered therapy not knowing what to expect. I had dealt with depression and other mental health symptoms for years, but thought that I could take charge of my problems in a matter of weeks – a few months at the most. Almost eight years later, I’m still at it.

Assuming when I would “get better” was a mistake. The thing is, you never know. You may ask a therapist for an estimate, and they’ll often give you one. 8-12 sessions is a frequently used figure. But really, there are so many factors that influence this. There is no way to calculate how long treatment will take. 

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It is unfair to both yourself and your therapist to set a timetable on recovery. There is nothing wrong with setting goals, but don’t make hard deadlines. The mind is very complex and what’s masquerading as a relatively simple concern might actually be liked to a much larger underlying problem. You just might not see it before you examine the presenting concern. 

On the other hand, sometimes it’s faster than you’d think. I’ve heard of people benefiting from a single session. All your life problems won’t be solved in an hour, but sometimes you luck out and get the insight you need a lot quicker than expected. Really, don’t go in expecting one session to fix everything, but know that what you think might take many months or years may actually not require that much time. 

Unfortunately, insurance companies aren’t nice about letting you take as long as you need. There are often limits on how many sessions they will pay for. This means that you will want to try to make the most of your time with your therapist. Talk to her about what to do. Seeing him every other week instead of weekly can give you slower progress, but it stretches out over a longer period of time. Together you can find out what’s best for you. Also, don’t be afraid to call your insurance company if you have questions. 

Even when therapy is over, it does not mean that your progress ends there. You should not expect to be completely “fixed.” Recovery is a journey, not a destination. For many people, managing one’s mental health is a life-long endeavor. Improving your mental health is a long-term commitment. However long it takes to feel better is how long it takes. Just don’t stop trying. The “do it at home” tag is a great source for exercises to keep up your progress independently of therapy.

I know it’s hard, but don’t stress about how long your recovery will take. That only creates more anxiety and concern. Accept yourself for where you are at and be proud of yourself for any progress, no matter how small. It’s heading in the right direction that matters. Maybe you’ll feel better soon and maybe you won’t. The persistence you put in to your recovery will, however, eventually pay off. 

Are you able to be patient with yourself about the rate you’re progressing at? How did you come to peace with it?  Let us know with a comment.