Should I Commit to Weekly Therapy? Yes, and Here Are 6 Reasons Why!
Are you standing at the crossroads of your journey, questioning whether weekly therapy sessions are worth the commitment and investment? We understand the uncertainty that lingers wondering if will therapy REALLY work? As counselors, we believe in the service we provide! Why? Because we have seen people change and improve as they have the time and space to share their life’s journey uncensored with a professional. We have seen the moments of clarity, the breakthroughs that bring tears of relief, and the smiles that return as you rediscover yourself. These moments are priceless to our clients that experience them. In the journey towards healing and growth, Sparrow Counseling in Birmingham, AL believes in the power of weekly therapy sessions.
Does therapy have to be weekly?
There are no rules to how often therapy needs to happen from week-to-week, biweekly, monthly or as needed. Most often things that determine how often a client can come in are time, money, and commitment. While it may seem daunting to commit to weekly sessions, the research says a weekly commitment is the most efficient and effective way to feel better. At Sparrow Counseling, we believe that seeing our clients weekly will provide them with the best outcomes in the fastest time possible.
Well, what does the research say about weekly sessions?
According to findings from a 2019 study, individuals receiving fewer therapy sessions with less frequency do not have the sustainable relief that they want. This study is focused on individuals grappling with anxiety and panic attacks.
In a comprehensive 17-year study conducted at a university counseling center, they discovered that clients who attended weekly sessions experienced a "steeper recovery curve." This means that those who participated in weekly therapy sessions demonstrated faster improvements in their mental well-being compared to those who received less frequent sessions.
What does the research say about couples therapy? Couples therapy has shown a positive impact on about 70% of couples seeking services (Lebow, Chambers, Christensen, & Johnson 2011). Read this article about the latest research and statistics on couples therapy and its effectiveness.
Based on this research we have 6 reasons why weekly sessions are the best investment of your time, money, and well-being:
Faster, more successful healing
Research says that the number one reason therapy is effective is when there is a strong therapeutic relationship between therapists and clients (Sprenkle, Davis, & Lebow 2009; Sturmey, Noller, & Karantzas, 2012). Immediately, coming into a therapist's office and beginning to talk about your deepest pain is rare. What usually brings people into our offices is a crisis in a relationship or their circumstances. You found out your partner cheated on you, you or a family member has a health crisis, or you are having difficulty dealing with life because of your anxiety or depression. Talking about each of these is difficult for most people let alone to a stranger. It takes time to build a relationship with your therapist into one you can trust. Oftentimes when I see couples, I will ask them if they have seen a counselor at any other time in their relationship. They will say they did but it did not really work. Couples report to me that the lack of consistency on their part or their therapists to really commit to regular therapeutic work did not build the strong therapeutic alliance needed for success. Once you can trust your therapist, which means you can say ANYTHING and you will not be judged and you trust their insights, you can begin to do the deep work. Getting to this place takes time and consistency helps.
2. Continuous Momentum and Accountability
Imagine taking one step forward, then waiting an entire month before taking another step. Progress becomes slow and fragmented. When you begin working with a therapist and seeing them weekly, you begin to build momentum as you open up about your life and how you got to the place you currently are. At some point, the therapist will begin to offer suggestions or insights to help you discover how you really want to show up for yourself and your relationships. In doing so, as you become more self-aware and able to articulate that to your therapist, they can begin to keep you accountable and remind you of who you said you wanted to be for yourself and those around you. When therapists meet with their clients week-to-week, we can see what's working, what’s not, and where the resistance is that you may have within you that stops you from being the person you want to be for yourself and others. Weekly sessions allow clients to build on insights, challenges, and breakthroughs from the previous session, making your therapy journey with us more cohesive and efficient.
3. Deeper Exploration & riding the highs and lows of life
Effective therapy involves deep introspection and exploration of one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. When I am able to meet with my clients week-to-week, I get to experience the highs and lows of their lives. I learn about the relationships and issues that matter to them. When a client comes in and says, “Well it has been a pretty good week. I don't really have much to talk about”, I actually become the most excited. Because I can dig deeper into why it was a good week. Were they avoiding things or just doing a really good job taking care of themselves and their relationships? Then I can go even a little deeper with my clients because they have less anxiety and those “pretty good weeks” turn into a therapy session of breakthroughs and transformation. These sessions, I believe, will have the most impact on your healing in the long run by fostering a more profound understanding of yourself. This depth leads to a quicker and clearer path to healing.
4. Consistent Support
Therapy is not just about the hour you spend in session; it's about the support and tools you receive to navigate life's challenges. By doing weekly sessions, I have found that clients ensure consistent support, allowing you to address issues as they arise. Having this support, I have found allows my clients to “table” difficult conversations or emotions for our therapy sessions. They basically say to themselves or their partners- let’s take this to therapy allowing themselves the permission that they will deal with it but they will have the support needed to better understand and articulate this difficult issue. This support system becomes a reliable anchor in your journey, helping you manage stress, anxiety, and other issues more effectively.
5. Faster Goal Achievement
Whether you're working on managing anxiety, overcoming past trauma, or improving relationships, the frequency of weekly therapy sessions enables faster progress. As clients build a strong relationship with their therapist they can open up about what they really feel, pulling away the masks they have created over the years and getting more to the deeper part of the issues. For couples, I have seen that practicing listening skills, discussing repair strategies, and sharing moments of appreciation can breathe new life into a stuck and stale relationship. Goals are achieved more efficiently because you have more opportunities to practice new strategies, receive feedback, and adjust your approach. There is also time to give and get feedback from the therapist to the client. Additionally, addressing this feedback allows counselors to address any ruptures that might happen in the therapeutic alliance and thereby honor the client’s perspective and maximize the client’s benefit (Shaw & Murray, 2014).
6. Cost-Effective in the Long Run
“Can we come in biweekly or monthly because I am not sure we can afford weekly sessions?”, we often hear from our clients. While it may seem like attending therapy weekly is a bigger financial commitment upfront, it can actually save you money in the long run. Achieving your therapy goals more quickly means spending fewer sessions overall, ultimately reducing your therapy expenses. We are very aware of the financial commitment weekly sessions mean for individuals, couples, and families and do not want to add more strain onto an already fragile situation. However, we also value the work we do, and the time and money we have invested to find the most cutting-edge resources and interventions for our clients, and we ultimately believe the service we provide can provide you with greater intimacy with yourself and in your relationships. To us, this is priceless. Why do deeper relationships with ourselves and those we love matter? Because we know it matters! We found another study that shared what hospice nurses have learned from those dying and the regrets they have. Their biggest regrets were their broken relationships or not taking the time to invest in their relationships. They regretted working too much, carrying too much bitterness, and staying so busy they missed the small moments in life that are the most valuable to a dying person. Again, we know what we do matters! It is priceless.
Sparrow Counseling in Birmingham, AL encourages you to make an investment in your well-being and personal growth through weekly therapy sessions. It's a choice that shows dedication to your journey, and we are here to support you every step of the way. While the path may seem challenging, the rewards are immense: quicker progress, a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships, and a more efficient use of your time and resources. Remember, the therapeutic journey is a unique and personal one, and our therapists at Sparrow Counseling are here to guide you with compassion and expertise. So, if you're considering therapy, take the plunge into Sparrow Counseling's weekly sessions – your future self will thank you for it.
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Services Offered at Sparrow Counseling
At Sparrow Counseling we understand you may be struggling with more than one issue. To support you, our practice offers both in-person therapies in Birmingham, AL, and online therapy in Alabama. Our skilled team specializes in teen counseling, marriage counseling, co-parenting counseling, reunification therapy, blended family counseling, discernment counseling, anxiety therapy, and more in Birmingham, Alabama. Learn more by checking out our FAQs and Blog!