Here’s the bottom line of what I want you to know before I get started: I believe to make the most progress in healing, therapy is best attended on a weekly basis.
The therapy I do with clients is best done every week
This is something I share with my clients before we begin therapy to make sure this is in line with their hopes and expectations. Of course, I’m not everyone’s therapist obviously, and am not making specific recommendations a blanket statement for people I don’t see. However, for the type of work I do and the clients I work with I rarely recommend anything less than once a week. This is my preference and what I ask my clients to commit to here and here’s my why.
Reasons to attend therapy every week
Attending therapy every week allows deep work to be done.
The more consistently you’re attending therapy, the faster you make progress. It allows you to make progress and feel greater hope about your situation. Hope is the magic elixir, and I want you to have a lot of it as much and as soon as possible.
You get better faster
I have found in the past when I have worked with clients sporadically or only a few times a month, it leads to less progress. A lot less progress. Clients end up getting discouraged and stop coming to therapy altogether. The less we see of each other, the more reporting and catching up there ends up being in the time we have been apart. This is important in therapy but we also can’t jump into your reactions, emotions, or patterns when we end up spending the entire session updating on what’s happened.
Progress is made when we are able to consistently address your patterns and emotions
A good balance is important and the best progress is made when we get to really look at your emotions and patterns. We need time not only to process what you are struggling with presently but to look back at past experiences that have led you to where you are now. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a therapist that enjoys doing deep emotional work. I hope you’re ready for that :).
If you are doing trauma counseling or EMDR, weekly therapy truly is necessary
Another aspect I have noticed is when I’m doing EMDR and trauma work with someone is that weekly is optimal. It’s the humane thing to do to get through it as fast as possible. In fact, when doing trauma work, doing two sessions per week is supreme but we still can work with once a week. I find that we end up spinning our wheels in trauma work when it’s only twice a month as clients end up having their emotional wounds opened and closed without the progression toward healing.
The goal of therapy is not to need it forever
It’s also natural at some point for you to taper down on therapy. When you are making progress, you may need to come less frequently. We love to see that. I want that for you, and that’s what we are working toward. However, I see it happen too soon. You having a good week or a good month is amazing and shows you are managing things better. It also isn’t always time to quit attending therapy weekly. The frequency of therapy should be intentional and hopefully not as a way of avoiding what’s uncomfortable. I recommend weekly therapy for about 9-12 months before considering tapering off weekly.
I realize therapy costs money
I also acknowledge that therapy is an investment. Financially it is challenging for some people to do. I get it, and I assure you I have been there. I have paid out of pocket for therapy for a loved one for years and know it can be a sacrifice. I’ve also seen it make a huge difference. I am not here to persuade you to spend money on therapy. If it’s something you value and want to do, It has the potential to change your life in ways you never could imagine.
I’m here to help you make progress towards all your hopes and dreams as fast as possible.
Looking to start working with an anxiety therapist in utah?
If you are struggling with an eating disorder or anxiety, you don’t have to live like that forever. This Provo Utah Area Counseling Clinic has a mental health professional that can help you. To begin therapy, follow the steps below:
Meet with a caring therapist
Begin feeling better
Online therapy in Utah
Having the accessibility and convenience to meet with a therapist is important with your busy schedule. This is why I provide online therapy in Utah. Online counseling is equally as effective as in=person therapy but can be done while you’re still in sweatpants.
Online therapy allows me to work with you if you are located in Logan, Salt Lake City, Heber, St. George, Cedar City, and more.
Mental health services provided by Maple Canyon Therapy
This Northern Utah Counseling Center provides a variety of counseling services. Mental Health Services provided by Maple Canyon Therapy include anxiety therapy, eating disorder therapy, trauma therapy, binge eating disorder treatment, body image therapy, and birth trauma therapy.