How do I know if therapy is working for me?

You may feel better after your first therapy session and that’s great! But typically it takes at least three sessions for you to notice a difference in how you feel or act.

Within the first few therapy sessions, you should start to see new behavior patterns, new self-knowledge, or a new perspective on your life. You should start to feel that you have a greater understanding of your concerns, and even that those concerns are starting to improve. Eventually, you should be able to identify positive changes in your life — and others should start seeing a difference in you, too.

If you’re feeling that you aren’t connecting well with your therapist, or that you haven’t gained any insight into your life after a few sessions, check in with your mental health therapist to discuss how you two should move forward. You may need to find another therapist or adjust how often you’re seeing your current therapist.