When Therapy Moves Faster

"When people imagine therapy, many picture a familiar scene: a quiet office, a couch, and a weekly one-hour conversation that unfolds over months. Yet, in reality, therapy is not a single, fixed format. It includes a set of evidence-based practices and tools that can be delivered in different ways depending on the person and the problem. One important, and often underrecognized, dimension of therapy is the pace at which it is delivered."

"As a psychologist, I sometimes explain my work to my children by saying that I help people with their feelings. That simple description leaves out the structure and complexity behind psychotherapy, but it captures something essential: Therapy is meant to help people when they are struggling. We all know that when someone is suffering, waiting can be hard. I felt this acutely while supporting a loved one through treatment for an anxiety disorder."

Therapy pacing varies and can be adjusted to match individual needs and symptom severity. Accelerated, time-limited PTSD treatments deliver evidence-based interventions more frequently, producing faster symptom reduction and early functional gains. Frequent sessions can reduce the distress experienced between weekly appointments and increase momentum, engagement, and retention in treatment. Intensive outpatient or accelerated protocols can offer an intermediate option between weekly therapy and inpatient care. Existing research indicates that rapid, concentrated treatment formats can maintain long-term positive outcomes similar to traditional pacing for many patients. Treatment planning should consider patient preference, clinical complexity, and logistical feasibility.

Read at Psychology Today