Advantages of Long-Term Therapy
It is easier for me to talk about the advantages of long-term therapy, as I consider myself a depth psychotherapist. However, I don't believe that long-term therapy is for everyone. Here are some of the advantages and disadvanges of this approach. In this section, I will use the term "depth therapy" to refer to long-term therapy.
General Characteristics
Length of Treatment: This varies some from person to person and with the type of therapy. I generally tell people that depth therapy typically lasts between 6 months and 2 to 3 years. However, occasionally it may be shorter or longer than this.
Setting: Most, but not all, depth therapists are in private practice.
Misconceptions
Depth therapy is only for people who are seriously mentally ill. While this would make logical sense, it is simply not true! In fact, many people who enter depth therapy do not have anything significantly wrong with them. They don't necessarily have a 'diagnosis,' they just want a deeper, more meaningful and satisfying life. Many depth therapy clients see therapy as an investment in the most important two things in their lifes: Themselves and Their Loves Ones!
Depth therapy is longer because it is not effective. Sometimes the length of treatment is due to it not working. However, many clients find that they continue to make improvements as late as 5 to 10 years in therapy (though few clients are in therapy this length of time even in depth therapy).
Depth therapists are just trying to keep people in therapy longer for their financial gain. I'm sure this happens at times, however, I am very confident that this is rare.
Advantages
Depth therapy is much more effective at making more significant life changes. For this reason, James Bugental refer's to depth therapy as "life changing psychotherapy." People seeking depth therapy often want to make significant changes in their life. Sometimes this is because they feel something is really wrong and sometimes because they want to make something in their life really right!
Many depth therapists believe that the major underlying crisis of our contemporary times is the loss of meaning, intimacy, and depth in our culture and the lives of individuals. While brief therapy can solve many problems, it rarely can help people achieve the same depth of meaning in life.
Depth therapy helps people create deeper, more satisfying relationships. Whether this is a direct focus of therapy or not, it is almost universally a result of successful depth therapy. I will often make the comment that engaging in depth therapy is the best gift you can give your children, your family, and your friends.
Depth therapy helps you develop greater self-awareness and a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships. While some people are not interested in this, for others, it is extremely rewarding.
Disadvantages
Depth therapy can be an expensive venture. While many depth therapists will see some clients at a reduced rate, it can often be difficult to find a therapist with an opening for a reduced rate slot. If you want to seek depth therapy, it is important to see it as an investment in yourself and your loved ones. Sometimes, it is also important to make sure they are on-board with this investment.
Many people in your life may not like the changes you make. This is very common. Though it seems odd, many of your friends may prefer the old, less healthy you. Change, including growth, is often hard for everyone.
Periods of instabilty often occur during depth therapy. It may, at times, appear as if things are getting worse. While this is part of the healing and growth process, it is one that is often not welcomed, especially if you don't know what the result is on the other side. While this stability is generally fairly mild, at times, there may be periods where it can temporarily impact your relationships and work. If prepared, this is generally not difficult to manage; however, for some it can be more challenging, especially if unprepared.
Here's an Example of Some Types of Long-Term Therapy :
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Psychoanalytic Therapy
- Existential Therapy
- Humanistic Therapy
- Jungian Therapy
- Depth Therapy
- Transpersonal Psychotherapy
- Relational Therapy
- Gestalt Therapy