How Long Does Therapy Take to Work? What to Expect Session by Session

The Question Everyone Asks

Almost every new client I (Monica) meet eventually asks: “So… how long will this take?” It’s an understandable question. We live in a fast-paced world, where apps deliver food in minutes and emails demand instant replies. Therapy, though, doesn’t follow that same pace.

Why There’s No One Answer

The length of therapy depends on many things: what you’re working on, how deep the patterns go, and what kind of therapy approach is used. For example, short-term therapies like CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) are structured and can bring relief in as little as 6–12 sessions. Longer-term approaches, like psychodynamic therapy, may last months or years, focusing on the roots of patterns that show up again and again.

What Progress Usually Looks Like

• In the first sessions, the focus is often on building trust and understanding your story. Many people leave early sessions feeling relief simply from being heard.

• As sessions continue, therapy shifts into practicing new skills, exploring underlying beliefs, and working through emotions. This is often the “hard work” stage.

• Later on, therapy is about consolidating progress, preparing for life after therapy, and deciding what ongoing support you need.

The Role of Commitment

I sometimes describe therapy like going to the gym. A single workout won’t transform you, but consistent effort over time creates real change. The same is true for therapy: showing up, being open, and applying insights outside of sessions makes all the difference.

Therapy is less about a set number of sessions and more about what you want to work toward. Whether it’s a few months or a few years, the question isn’t “How fast?” but “How deep?”