Pros and Cons of Accessing Short-term Therapy

Short-term therapy, also known as brief therapy or time-limited therapy, has gained popularity as a valuable approach in mental health treatment. This form of therapy aims to address specific issues within a limited number of sessions, typically ranging from 6 to 20, rather than the more extended and traditional open-ended therapeutic models.

While short-term therapy offers several advantages, it also comes with its share of drawbacks. In this article we will explore the pros and cons of short-term therapy to support individuals to make informed decisions about their mental health care.

Pros of short-term therapy

1. Focused and goal-oriented – One of the primary advantages of short-term therapy is its focus on specific issues and goals. This approach allows clients and therapists to work collaboratively to identify and address the core problems efficiently. As a result, clients may experience faster symptom relief and targeted progress.

2. Cost-effectiveness – Short-term therapy can be more affordable for clients due to its limited number of sessions. It reduces the financial burden on individuals seeking mental health treatment, making therapy more accessible to a broader range of people.

3. Time-efficiency – The time-limited nature of short-term therapy is beneficial for those with busy schedules or urgent issues. This form of therapy is particularly suitable for individuals who cannot commit to extended therapy periods but still require support for specific concerns.

4. Enhanced therapeutic alliance – With clear goals and a time frame, the therapeutic alliance between the therapist and client can strengthen quickly. Both parties may feel motivated to work collaboratively and efficiently to achieve positive outcomes within the given time frame.

5. Stepping-stone approach – Short-term therapy can act as a stepping stone for individuals who have never undergone therapy before. It provides an opportunity to experience therapy’s benefits and determine if longer-term therapy is necessary or desirable.

Cons of short-term therapy

1. Limited depth of exploration – The time constraints of short-term therapy may restrict the depth of exploration into underlying issues. Complex and deeply rooted problems might not receive the attention they need, potentially leading to a lack of resolution or recurrence of symptoms in the future.

2. Inadequate for severe conditions – Certain mental health conditions such as chronic depression, personality ‘disorders,’ or complex trauma may require more extended treatment periods for meaningful process. Short-term therapy may not provide sufficient time for addressing these complex conditions adequately.

3. Pressure to achieve quick results – The time-limited nature of short-term therapy can create pressure on both the therapist and the client to achieve rapid results. This pressure may hinder the therapeutic process and undermine the client’s ability to explore their thoughts and emotions at their own pace.

4. Limited scope for relationship building – Building a strong, therapeutic relationship takes time and trust. In short-term therapy, there may be limited opportunities to establish a deep connection between the client and the therapist, potentially impacting the effectiveness of the therapeutic process.

5. Reliance on symptom management – Short-term therapy often relies upon symptom management rather than exploring long-standing behavioural patterns or underlying causes. As a result, the treatment may not address the root causes of the issues, leading to temporary relief rather than lasting change.

In conclusion, short-term therapy offers an efficient and cost approach to address specific mental health issues in a time-limited manner. It can be highly beneficial for individuals seeking targeted support or those with busy schedules. However, it may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with severe, or deeply ingrained mental health conditions that require more extensive exploration and treatment.

Ultimately, the choice between short-term therapy and long-term therapy should be made based on individual needs, preferences, and the nature of the mental health concern. It is crucial for individuals to engage in open discussions with qualified mental health professionals to determine the most appropriate way forward for their unique situations.

Here at Clarendon Counselling, we see a significant number of clients entering longer-term therapy after a course of short-term therapy with the NHS. We prefer to enter into longer-term plans with our clients in order to ensure you get everything you need from your therapy process however if you do indeed feel that a course of short-term therapy would be more suited to your needs, please do feel free to contact us to talk this through.

You can find more information about our ‘go to’ short-term therapy approach Cognitive Behaviour Therapy here