Key Takeaways
No one can predict exactly how someone will respond to depression therapy. Some people experience relief in six to eight sessions, while others require lifelong care.
Factors like the severity of your symptoms, access to treatment, and the type of depression you have will impact your treatment timeline.
Attending therapy regularly, following your provider’s guidelines, and maintaining healthy habits can help you find relief sooner.
According to the American Psychological Association [1] (APA), about half the people with depression who go to therapy report feeling better after about 15 to 20 sessions. But, according to a research study [2], sometimes depression symptoms can be resolved in just six to eight sessions.
From the severity of your depression symptoms to your access to care, many factors can impact your healing timeline. What helps someone else might not work for you, and it may take some experimenting to find the right support.
Learning more about treatment duration can help you feel more prepared to access mental healthcare for depression.
What factors impact your healing timeline?
If you sprain your ankle, your doctor will have a pretty narrow list of recommendations to help you heal. They might suggest a combination of rest, ice packs, compression, pain relievers, and maybe some physical therapy.
Unfortunately, healing depression isn’t as straightforward as recovering from a sprained ankle or other physical injury. Plus, no one can predict exactly how long a person will need to be in therapy. That said, experts have identified a few factors that can significantly influence treatment timelines.
Depression type
Some people might think of depression as something that affects everyone in the same way. But depression can vary from person to person, and the type you live with can affect your treatment duration.
For example:
Situational depression: You can feel depressed without meeting the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) or another mental health condition. Temporary depression can result from a challenging life event, like a loss or major transition. In these instances, a person might not need a lengthy course of treatment because their depression is situational.
Seasonal depression: With this form of depression, you may require more support at certain times of the year. Many people experience more intense symptoms of depression during the dark, cold winter months. But it’s possible to experience depression in the warmer months too.
Postpartum depression (PPD): This form of depression can manifest after a person gives birth. Adjusting to life with a new baby, sleep disturbance, and hormonal changes can result in sadness, irritability, and other depressive symptoms. For some people, PPD resolves on its own in time. Others may require more long-term support, depending on the severity of their symptoms.
Major depressive disorder (MDD): This is what most people are referring to when they say that they have “clinical depression” or “depression.” While there’s no cure for MDD, it can be managed with the right support. The amount of therapy you will need to manage your MDD will vary based on your symptoms and other factors.
Symptom severity
Like any mental health condition, depression can range in severity.
For some people, their depression is a mild mood disturbance that they can manage with minimal support. But for others, it can be massively disruptive. Severe depression can make it difficult to work, go to school, maintain relationships, and take care of yourself. And in some cases, it can create safety concerns due to self-harm and suicidal behavior.* The severity of your depression symptoms will, in part, determine how long you need to be in treatment.
*If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts or thoughts about harming themself or others, please call or text 988 on any phone for the Suicide & Crisis lifeline, contact a local crisis line, or head to the emergency room immediately. Any of these resources will ensure that the person in crisis receives support right away. For more information on getting help, go to 988lifeline.org.
If experiencing a life-threatening emergency or you need immediate help, please call 911.
Access to care
We know that early detection and intervention [3] can positively impact depression treatment outcomes. But unfortunately, many people don’t get timely access to the care they deserve.
If you’ve been living with challenging symptoms for a long time without support, it may take you more time to experience relief. Additionally, common therapies for depression, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT), don’t necessarily work for everyone. If you don’t have access to a provider who’s trained in other approaches, it might take you longer to find the right care for your needs. This delay can increase the time it will take for you to heal.
Complementary support
Research suggests that combining medication and therapy [4] can yield the best results. Of course, there’s no rule that says you have to take medication to treat your depression. But for some people, it can make a world of difference and can allow them to heal faster.
If you’re interested in depression medication, talk to your doctor or psychiatrist. They can help you understand the pros and cons of this approach and estimate how soon you might feel better on medication.
How long is a therapy session for depression?
Therapy sessions usually happen once per week and last about 50 minutes. Although this is the norm, it isn’t necessarily realistic or appropriate for everyone.
Depending on your availability, financial situation, and other factors, you might not be able to make this therapy schedule work. However, you can still make meaningful progress on your depression with a different treatment timeline or approach [5].
Keep in mind that your engagement can play a role in how soon treatment starts to work. To make the most of your sessions, try to be fully present, keep an open mind, offer feedback about what is or isn’t working, ask questions, and follow through on your provider's suggestions.
How often should you go to therapy for depression?
Most people attend weekly therapy for depression. But there are other options too.
For example, some people attend biweekly, monthly, or whatever works for them. The best appointment cadence for depression therapy is the one you can realistically maintain and that feels right for you. Remember that the frequency with which you access care can affect your experience.
For example, if you only go to therapy once every few months, you might not see the same result as someone who goes weekly or biweekly.
How long will you need therapy for depression?
Like so many things in the world of mental health, the answer to the question, “How long will you need therapy for depression?”, is, “It depends.” We understand that this can be frustrating. After all, it can be difficult to opt into therapy when you have no idea how long it will take to make a difference or if it will work for you at all. Just try to remember that depression, for the most part, is treatable, and evidence-based therapies [6] can improve your life.
Also, if you have concerns about how long treatment lasts, you can always talk to your provider. Depression therapy isn’t always a forever commitment. You and your therapist can discuss how you’ll know when you’re ready to “graduate,” and you can return to treatment at any time in the future.
How can you tell if therapy is working for you?
Many studies have shown [7] that therapy can help people living with depression. You’ll know that it’s working when you start to notice small improvements, sometimes with help from your therapist.
This might include:
Less fatigue and more energy
Better sleep and/or appetite
Renewed interest in activities or socializing
Improved concentration and focus
Increased motivation
A more positive or hopeful outlook in general
What if your depression is resistant to therapy?
Unfortunately, for people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), medication and therapy won’t provide meaningful relief. While therapy can still be supportive, lifestyle changes may have a greater impact.
This can include things like:
Clinician's take
When you’re treating depression, it’s completely normal to feel discouraged in the beginning — your brain and body are adjusting, and that takes time. Early progress is often quiet and subtle, not dramatic. I remind clients that showing up, even on the hard days, is progress.
Find care with Rula
Every person’s experience with depression therapy is unique. The severity of your depression, access to care, and other personal factors can impact your treatment duration. However, by attending therapy regularly (if possible) and following your provider’s recommendations, you might experience relief sooner.
At Rula, we’re here to help you feel better. Rula makes it easy to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who takes your insurance. That way, you don’t have to choose between great care and a price you can afford.
Rula patients pay about $15 per session with insurance, and 93% say they feel better after getting care through Rula. We have 21,000+ providers, and appointments are available as soon as tomorrow. We’re here to help you take the next step — wherever you are in your mental health journey.
