When Therapy Isn't Helping

What Does 'When Therapy Isn't Helping' Mean?

This refers to situations where, despite receiving psychological counseling or therapy for a period of time, you don't feel any meaningful change, or the therapy process itself feels burdensome. This is more common than you might think, and it may be part of the journey of finding the right treatment for you.

Reasons You Might Feel Therapy Isn't Helping

Early stages of therapy: Therapy effects usually take weeks to months to appear. In the beginning, emotions may actually feel more intense — this is because you've started processing feelings that were previously suppressed.

Compatibility with your therapist: Even the most skilled therapist isn't the right fit for everyone. The trust and comfort you feel with your therapist has a major impact on how effective therapy is.

Mismatch in therapeutic approach: The therapeutic approach being used may not be suited to your specific concerns.

External environment: If stressors outside of therapy are too overwhelming, they can cancel out the effects of therapy.

Things You Can Do

Be honest with your therapist: Saying 'I don't feel like therapy is helping lately' is a very healthy form of communication. A good therapist will work with you to adjust the direction.

Revisit your therapy goals: Check whether the goals you set at the beginning are still relevant, and whether there are areas to refine more specifically.

Consider a different therapist or approach: Switching therapists or trying a different treatment method is nothing to be ashamed of.

Don't give up on therapy: Just because one experience wasn't the right fit doesn't mean all therapy is useless.

A Warm Word from Mindy

Feeling like therapy isn't helping can be discouraging and exhausting. But this is a valuable part of the process of finding what works best for you. Mindy is cheering you on to keep going and find the help that truly fits you.