The Benefits of Long-Term Therapy

Kat Blake, MHC

As you may have discovered in your research, there are many different types of therapy—what might seem like an alphabet soup of acronyms: “CBT,” “DBT,” “EFT,” “EMDR,” it’s a list that goes on. Not only do these therapies vary, but prospective clients also have unique beliefs on what therapy is and what role it plays in the human experience. For some, therapy is a neutral space to turn to during difficult times—when life gets overwhelming, and coping feels challenging. Whether you’re navigating a breakup, grieving the unexpected loss of a loved one, or struggling to find community after a relocation, therapy can offer a helpful refuge.

Others see therapy as a more short-term solution, aimed at achieving specific goals, such as developing strategies for work-related challenges, improving interpersonal communication skills, or better managing minor stressors. Then, there is a third perspective: for some, therapy and the relationship with a therapist become a crucial part of personal growth and self-evolution.

As a relational and emotion-focused therapist working with individuals and couples, I identify with this third perspective, which can also be referred to as long-term therapy. Long-term therapy doesn’t have a single definition, but a common thread is that it typically involves working with the same therapist for two years or more. You might be thinking, “Wow, that’s a long time—or quite the investment—to be going to a therapist's office once or twice a month,” but stay with me for a moment and hear out my perspective.

Lasting Change Takes Time

One of the core beliefs I hold as a relational and emotion-focused therapist is that lasting, meaningful change takes time. I get how this can be a tough pill to swallow for many, because oftentimes we just want to feel better NOW, it's so difficult to sit with the pain.  While short-term therapy can provide valuable tools and coping strategies, long-term therapy is often necessary for deep, sustainable transformation. In the context of relationships—whether with others or yourself— intergenerational patterns of behavior, thought, and emotional processing are deeply ingrained and therefore are difficult to shift. Our conditioning or “patterns” are formed over years, often starting in childhood or adolescence, and they are shaped by our relationships and early experiences.

For example, if you have a tendency to shut down emotionally when faced with conflict, or perhaps you struggle to trust others, these patterns are often unconscious and have developed over many years. Therapy helps you identify and explore these deep-seated tendencies, understand where they originated, and work on shifting them in a way that feels safe and authentic. In long-term therapy, we work together to unpack these patterns gradually, with compassion and patience, rather than expecting a quick fix. This process takes time and requires the space for reflection, trial, and error. Through the relational process, clients can start to see themselves—and their emotions—in a new, healthier light, and make sustained changes that ripple through all areas of their lives.

The Stronger the Client-Therapist Relationship = Better Therapy Outcomes

The therapeutic relationship itself is a key factor in the success of long-term therapy. Research has consistently shown that the quality of the therapist-client relationship is one of the most important predictors of therapeutic success. In relational and emotion-focused therapy, this connection is not just a backdrop for healing—it is the heart of the work.

When we embark on long-term therapy, we begin to form a deep and consistent bond based on trust, empathy, mutual respect, and boundaries. Over time, this bond allows you to experience a safe and supportive space where you can express emotions and vulnerabilities that may have been difficult or even unsafe to express in other relationships. The therapeutic relationship becomes a microcosm for your broader relational life. In many ways, the way you interact with me as your therapist can mirror the ways you interact with loved ones, friends, or colleagues. This provides a valuable opportunity to explore and transform unhelpful relational patterns within the context of a secure relationship.

For example, if you tend to push others away when you feel hurt or afraid, we can explore those dynamics together in therapy. Over time, we can work to develop healthier ways of communicating and expressing your emotions. This relational process helps you practice new ways of being in relationship to others—and most importantly, to yourself.

Certain Patterns Are Not Meant to Be Overcome Alone

One of the most profound aspects of long-term therapy is that it allows you to explore some of the most challenging and complex patterns in your life—patterns that are often linked to trauma, attachment wounds, or difficult relational experiences. These patterns can sometimes feel insurmountable when faced alone and require a secure other or corrective relationship to heal from. 

As a relational therapist, I deeply believe that healing happens in the context of relationships. You don’t have to navigate these deep, painful experiences in isolation. Therapy provides a space where you can be supported and held as you begin to understand and transform these patterns. The relational container that is built over time—where you and I both bring our authentic selves—becomes a crucial part of the healing process.