Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the process take?

Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. As much as we’d love a clear path and a plan, it’s not so simple. So how long does therapy take? The length of time therapy takes truly depends on the individual, treatment methods, and the goals of the person seeking therapy. There are also symptoms, and the history of those symptoms that will determine the length of therapy. For these reasons, therapy could last anywhere from just a few sessions to years.

Some people come to therapy with a specific problem and might find that one or two sessions are sufficient. Other people come to therapy with more complicated issues and may feel they need a few months or more to understand and resolve their issues. Others have deep-seated trauma or difficult feelings and may reap the benefits of therapy from longer-term counseling. The length of treatment may also vary depending on the type of therapy you choose. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy or couples therapy tends to be short to medium term. In contrast, psychoanalytically-oriented therapies may involve more medium to longer-term work that could last years.

Regardless of what brings you to each therapy session, or the type of treatment you pursue, it is important to remember that it is always your decision as when to stop. A good way to avoid confusion is to discuss and establish your goals with your therapist. Clarifying what you want from the experience can help you determine when you have met your goals and when you are ready to stop individual therapy. If you don’t have a therapist yet, consider using a therapy matching service to start you on your road to counseling. 

How long should I stay in therapy?

How Long Should You Stay in Therapy?
Generally speaking, when people have little to no trauma present in their childhoods, therapy might not require long-term treatment. Patients with a more benign background usually seek out therapy to address very specific and often recent traumas such as rape, abortion, mugging, or car accident; a loss such as a death, job loss, or divorce; or a dilemma, like being unhappy in a relationship or job. In cases such as those, even just having someone to talk to about the issues, grieving the losses, and receiving compassionate understanding and insight can alleviate negative feelings and behaviors.
If you’re wondering how long it takes for therapy to work, it depends on how much and how deeply you want to make use of psychotherapy. When it comes to how often you should go to therapy, it can be one session, or six months or more of weekly sessions. Even if the most immediate issues are resolved or quelled, your emotions and experiences are a deep well. You might find that you enjoyed the experience enough to continue with your sessions to try and tackle additional problems or explore more about yourself.

Will my health insurance cover therapy?

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who are considering therapy, health insurance coverage may be a concern. If you have health insurance, chances are good that your policy provides some level of coverage, but always check with your insurance company to ensure yours is one of those.
Bear Creek Counseling and Trauma Recovery bills as an out-of-network provider. Because of this, you may need to obtain preauthorization for your insurance to cover your sessions. Again, it is very important to check with your insurance provider for coverage and for an understanding of your benefits.

How do I schedule an appointment?

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