Managing Low Mood

What Are the Benefits of Time-Limited Counselling?

26 June 2020 by Shannon Ward

While some people go to counselling or therapy for months or even years, you don't always have to make a long-term commitment to get the help you need. Some counsellors and therapists offer time-limited counselling. How does this kind of therapy work and what are its benefits?

What Is Time-Limited Counselling?

Time-limited counselling lasts for a specific and short-term duration. Typically, you agree on how many sessions you will have with your counsellor at the start of the therapy. This gives you a planned end date. So, for example, you might decide to have a six-week course with a session every week.

If all goes to plan, your sessions end after this time. However, if you feel you need more help or time, then your counsellor may agree to extend your sessions.

Sometimes, time-limited therapies focus on practical and task-based counselling rather than pure talk techniques. For example, cognitive behavioural therapy often works well in the short-term as it gives you tangible and scheduled tasks that move you towards problem resolution.

Why Choose Time-Limited Counselling?

Time-limited counselling doesn't work for everyone. If you aren't quite sure where your problems lie at the moment, or if you have issues that go back for years, then you may benefit more from open-ended counselling that allows your therapy to develop over time.

This doesn't mean that you'll need counselling for a long time. It simply means that you might need more time to investigate and fix your problems.

However, in some cases, you may have a specific problem that you already know about. You don't need to work out what your problem is because it is easily identifiable. What you want is a way to deal with it.

For example, if you have issues with controlling an addiction, anger or anxiety, then you may get the help you need over a shorter timescale. If you are having problems with a recent life event, then you may simply need some short-term help and support.

If your therapy has a time limit, then you may find that you are more energised to commit to the process. You won't want to waste time. You may also find it more motivating to have an end date to aim for in the near future.

If you think that time-limited therapy might work for you, then contact local counselling services. They can tell you more about your options and help you find the best therapeutic solution.

Reach out to a counselling service today for more information.

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