How to Look Beyond the Hype and Debate
The Hype
It is inappropriate for therapists to involve clients in their petty political battles over which type of therapy is best; yet it happens all the time. This is a very controversial issue today which can quickly get many therapists red faced and screaming at other professionals in ways that make them look they they are the ones in need of some anger management classes. This page will provide a brief overview of the differences while some other pages in this section provide a more in-depth analysis of each type of therapy.
Let me provide a quick analogy with physical health:
If you are concerned about having a healthy heart, you may focus very specifically on exercises and diet issues which will help you have a healthy heart. As your heart gets healthier your overall health improves as the benefits of a healthy heart affect other aspects of your physical health. Focusing on your heart is a narrow focus, but has broader benefts. This is similar to brief therapy.
Others may take a more comprehensive approach to improving their overall health in order to benefit the heart. They will target many of the same issues, such as cardiovascular health andlowering cholesterol, but they will also consider stress levels, weight, diet, and may other related issues. The assumption is that as overall health improves, this will help create a healthy heart. While it may be much quicker to just focus on helping the heart, the benefits of a holistic approach to health should be evident.
It is important to note that the length of treatment is often not dependent upon the severity of the issues, rahter it is dependent upon the types of change the person wants to make!
Is Briefer Better?
For some people, yes! But not for everyone. Brief therapy tends to focus on more specific issues, so it has a more narrow scope. It's concern is the alleviation of symptoms along with quickly making specific improvements in life. See also When Brief Therapy is Better. Here's some times when brief is better:
- You want quick results
- You concern is primarily alliviation of the symptoms
- You are not willing to commit to a longer time commitment
- You are not willing to commit financially to a large investment in yourself
- You have a face-paced life and don't want to slow down for therapy
- When you are in crisis
Is Long-Term Therapy Better?
Again, for some people, yes! But not for everyone. Long term therapy tends to focus on a deeper resolution of what causes the symptoms, more significant life changes, and improving self-awareness. See also When Long Term Therapy is Better. Here's some times when longer therapy is better:
- You are interested in making more significant changes in your life
- You are interested in seeking more meaning and depth in your life and relationships
- You are interested in understanding yourself better
- Your problems are connected to traumatic events from your past
- When you are interested in "finding yourself' or the direction in your life
- When you are committed to a more deep, holistic approach to healing, growth, and health
Conclusion
Don't let anyone, including your therapist, tell you what is best for you in terms of brief or long-term therapy. Decide for yourself based upon what you want from life and therapy. It is not that one approach is superior to the other, but rather different approaches are better for different people. And, many times, brief and long-term therapy can work together (see How Brief and Long-Term Therapy Can Work Together).