By Madison Weber, MHC-LP
Reading Time — 5 Minutes
The Benefits of Weekly vs. Biweekly Therapy Sessions: A Closer Look
As a therapist working in New York City, I’ve noticed the same question being asked in my personal and professional life – do I have to go to therapy every week?
Now, there is nothing wrong with doing therapy biweekly, monthly, or even for drop-in sessions – and you will likely be able to find a therapist to accommodate those requests.
However, if you’re hoping to work through new or existing challenges, delve into your emotions, develop coping skills, or live a more fulfilled life, then weekly therapy is likely going to be the best option for you.
Biweekly and monthly sessions are completely fine in some instances, but they are not best practices to build a trusting relationship between client and therapist.
Consistency is Key
When it comes to therapeutic progress, consistency plays a pivotal role.
Weekly therapy sessions offer more frequent and regular engagement with your therapist.
This consistency allows you to delve deeper into your thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
Therapists who see clients on a bi-weekly or monthly schedule have noted that much of their session time consists of re-building comfort and re-building rapport. This means using less of the time to focus on therapeutic work and goals, which just slows down the process of change.
Weekly therapy provides a steady rhythm to your therapeutic journey, making it easier to establish a rapport with your therapist and maintain a sense of trust.
With a shorter gap between sessions, you’re better equipped to build on the insights gained from each session, leading to more significant progress over time.
Biweekly sessions might result in longer gaps between appointments, making it harder to maintain a consistent therapeutic relationship and track progress.
Real-time Processing
Life is unpredictable, and our emotions can fluctuate from one moment to the next.
Weekly therapy sessions provide you with the opportunity to process your thoughts and feelings in real-time.
If something significant or challenging happens between sessions, you won’t have to wait for an extended period to discuss it with your therapist.
This immediate processing can be incredibly beneficial, as you’ll be able to address concerns while they are still fresh and actively impacting your emotional state.
Additionally, this will remove the need for lengthy reporting or catching up on the events between therapy sessions.
Deeper Exploration
Therapy is a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
With weekly sessions, you have the advantage of diving deeper into your past experiences, thought and behavior patterns, and underlying emotions and beliefs.
This extended exploration allows you to work through issues more comprehensively and discover aspects of your life you have yet to explore.
Biweekly sessions may inadvertently slow down this process, as the longer gap between sessions might disrupt the flow of insights and revelations.
Maintaining Momentum
Change and progress often rely on maintaining momentum.
Weekly therapy sessions offer a consistent push forward, helping you stay motivated and engaged in your therapeutic process.
This regularity can prevent stagnation and empower you to confront challenges head-on.
Often, people turn to therapy to help create some kind of change in their life, and without the accountability of weekly sessions, it may create space for you to fall back into old habits.
Biweekly sessions might lead to longer gaps where progress can stall or even regress, requiring more effort to regain the momentum lost.
Managing Crisis and Urgent Situations
Life can throw unexpected curveballs that require immediate attention.
In times of crisis or urgent situations, having the support of a therapist becomes even more critical.
Weekly therapy sessions provide a safety net during such times, enabling you to process your emotions and seek guidance promptly.
Waiting for a biweekly session might not be feasible or helpful in moments of acute distress.
Individual Preferences and Resources
While there are compelling reasons to opt for weekly therapy sessions, it’s essential to acknowledge that individual preferences and resources play a role in this decision.
The decision about therapy frequency should be made collaboratively between the individual and their therapist, taking into consideration the nature of the concerns, goals, progress, and logistical factors.
Some individuals might find the intensity of weekly sessions overwhelming, while others might not have the financial or time resources to commit to such regular appointments.
In such cases, biweekly sessions can still provide benefits and progress, albeit at a potentially slower pace.
The choice between weekly and biweekly therapy sessions ultimately depends on your personal circumstances and needs.
However, if consistency, real-time processing, deeper exploration, and enacting long-term changes are significant considerations for you, weekly therapy sessions might offer a more advantageous path.
The most critical factor in this process is your commitment to your mental health and growth. Therapy, in any form, is a valuable investment in yourself that can lead to lasting positive change.
