One of the trickiest questions I get as a therapist is: “What’s the ideal therapy session frequency?” It’s a deceptively simple question with a complicated answer. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, especially at the outset. It really depends on a person’s unique needs, what they’re ready to work on, and how they respond to the process.
Some clients come in highly motivated, eager to meet every week, only to find themselves running out of things to process after a few sessions. I remember one patient in particular—let’s call her Jane—who came in weekly for a while. Initially, we had productive conversations, but as time went on, she’d just give surface-level updates about her week, without addressing any deeper issues. Jane wasn’t taking any real steps to tackle her problems. She was deeply repressed, depressed, and aimless. Our sessions became stagnant, filled with long silences, and when she did speak, it was about trivial things like, "I bought sweatpants this week," rather than engaging in meaningful work despite my efforts to guide her.
I engaged her with Socratic dialogue—questioning and probing to help her explore deeper issues—but it didn’t seem to go anywhere. She wasn’t interested in doing any strategic work, either in session or outside of it. When I suggested small, in vivo practices to try between sessions, she gently but consistently rejected them. It became clear that Jane didn’t need to come in so frequently because, frankly, we weren’t getting anywhere.
On the flip side, there are clients who come in once a month or every few weeks. As they start to unravel their trauma or dig deeper into their issues, I’ll notice things that make me think they could benefit from more frequent sessions. But here's the thing—it can feel like I'm "selling" therapy when I suggest more sessions, and that’s never the intention. I’ve been in the field long enough to know how long certain treatments can take, and it's my job to navigate that process with care and sensitivity.
I’ve worked in a variety of settings: hospitals, outpatient clinics, group therapy, and long-term individual therapy. I've seen clients make rapid progress in just a few days of intensive treatment, and I’ve had clients who stick with therapy for years, weaving in and out as life throws new challenges their way. Some people need consistent, weekly support; others might benefit from coming in more often for a while, and then tapering off. It’s all about their unique rhythm.
But here’s the tricky part: what do you do when you notice someone could really benefit from coming in more frequently, but you're not sure how they’ll take that suggestion? You never want to push, but as a clinician, I have firsthand experience gathering both observational and clinical data on how long these processes take. If you’re repeatedly complaining about the same issue, and I know that a targeted strategy—one that involves repetition and practice—could help, I’m going to recommend it.
I know it can feel like I'm suggesting more therapy just to fill up my schedule, but it’s really about helping you achieve your goals. When I recommend a higher frequency of treatment, it’s because I’ve seen what works. Sometimes the work requires more sessions, and that’s okay. It’s all part of the delicate balance between meeting you where you are and helping you get to where you want to be.
So, how would you feel if I told you I think more frequent therapy might be what you need? Would you take it as a sign of progress or something else? The reality is, therapy is a partnership. We figure it out together, and my job is to provide guidance based on both my clinical expertise and your personal goals. But at the end of the day, you're in the driver's seat—I'm just here to help navigate.
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