What are the things in life we seek to maintain? Our car, home, lawn, body, hair, physical health, budget…just to name a few. Maintenance care is all around us yet we often overlook it for our mental health.
One of the most common questions we receive from clients & potential clients is “how long will I have to be in counseling?” This is always a difficult question to answer because there is no black & white answer. Everyone’s need varies and everyone’s level of motivation to change varies. Both of which impact the length of one’s time in counseling.
Issues such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, relationship changes, and poor self-esteem don’t develop overnight, which means they don’t permanently go away quickly either. But once change has been achieved in counseling, maintenance care can help sustain those changes in the long-term. Left without this support, issues can and often do return.
Think about it for a moment. There is no other doctor or dentist that we see once in our lives, and never again. We go once if not twice a year. We don’t change our oil once & never think about it again or water our lawn a couple of times and expect it to stay green all summer. Yet many of us think one round of therapy can permanently keep us mentally healthy. Problems and challenges arise throughout life, just like illnesses and cavities do, to use the medical support mentioned above as an example. Having the skilled insight and support of a therapist to help you manage these challenges can be the difference between a prolonged struggle or a successful and quick resolution. Think of maintenance care as a refresher course rather starting over again. It can remind you of and continue build on the work you’ve already accomplished.
I encourage you to use us as a resource throughout your life, much as you do your other healthcare providers. Why struggle alone? We are here for you through your darkest times or just times that the stress feels overwhelming. Let’s maintain the progress and keep you on track!
