Mental health care is on the rise. It’s estimated that more than 1 in 5 American adults (21.6%) are receiving mental health treatment. Almost half of Americans, however, plan to start seeing a therapist within the next year, according to a new study.
When most people begin their treatment journey, they think that psychotherapy – meeting one-on-one with a therapist, in a private or telehealth setting – is their primary option. But this isn’t the case! While talk therapy can be an incredible resource for people with mild mental health symptoms, or a great gateway into the world of treatment, there are many different types of therapy out there.
Perhaps you are here because you’ve tried the traditional therapy method before. You met with a licensed therapist or social worker, for multiple weeks consistently, only to find that you’re still struggling with the same symptoms. You are not alone.
Research shows that roughly 20% of individuals will drop out of therapy prematurely. A significant number of people (upwards of 50%) also switch their therapists at least once. Their reasons? Often, it’s a mismatch with their provider, a cost limitation, or—as you might be feeling now—a perceived lack of effectiveness (i.e., the therapy “isn’t working”).
The truth is, when you feel like therapy isn’t working, that doesn’t indicate that you or your provider has failed. Rather, it’s a signal that the level of care, or the approach to therapy, isn’t effectively meeting your needs. It’s a sign that treatment should be revised, not stopped altogether. For example, those with more severe or persistent mental health symptoms might need more structure, more sessions, or alternative methods that go beyond traditional care.
The Right Type of Therapy Will Work
Research consistently finds that, when individuals receive a form of treatment that meets their needs, they are likely to find success. An estimated 75% of people who receive therapy experience some benefits, and this increases for those who receive a highly-personalized, combined approach to care (85% effectiveness). Most people start to see benefits within 8 therapy sessions.
Of course, different conditions require different forms of treatment. Those experiencing more severe mental health struggles, like bipolar disorder or a substance use disorder, might need longer bouts of treatment, in an intensive setting, in order to be effective. At Turnbridge, clients receive highly individualized care plans over the course of several months in treatment. In a study of recent alumni, we found that 95% of clients accomplished recovery and a variety of lifestyle benefits after nine months (270 days) in the treatment program.
Sometimes, it just takes some trial and error to find out which type of treatment works best for you. As a residential mental health treatment provider, Turnbridge often welcomes individuals who did not find success in traditional therapy, short-term programs, or outpatient settings.
So, what should you do if therapy doesn’t work the first time around? Let’s explore your options.
When Therapy Doesn’t Work, Take These Steps:
- Try a different therapist.
Therapy is a collaboration, a relationship. In therapy, it’s important that you feel understood, safe, respected, and comfortable. This is when you can make the most progress and be the most open. If you do not feel these things, or do not feel like you can be yourself fully, then it might be time to try meeting with someone new. This doesn’t mean your therapist isn’t skilled. It doesn’t mean that you’re giving up. It’s a necessary step toward finding care that actually works.
If therapy hasn’t been working, it may be worth trying a different therapy style (such as one that offers more structure, or that is more experiential and less talk-focused in nature). Alternatively, you may consider switching to a therapist with a different specialty (such as trauma, mood disorders, substance use, chronic illness, postpartum, etc.).
- Try alternative therapy methods.
While talk therapy might be the most popular form of mental health care, that doesn’t mean it’s effective for everyone. Many people find relief through other therapeutic approaches, like expressive, experiential, or mindfulness approaches that work beyond conversation.
Examples of alternative therapies might include:
- Creative therapies, like art or music therapy
- Nature-based therapy, like wilderness therapy
- Mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Behavioral therapy, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Skills-based therapy, like Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Learn more about common alternatives to therapy here.
- Talk to your provider about combining treatment methods.
Sometimes, it’s not therapy alone that’s the hindrance—it’s the fact that talk therapy is the only method being pursued. For some people, particularly those with moderate to severe symptoms, a combination of therapeutic approaches is required to make progress. For example, at Turnbridge, we often recommend a combination of behavioral therapy, family therapy, psychotherapy, group counseling, medication, as well as holistic methods to engage the individual. Each treatment plan varies depending on a client’s needs and interests.
- Make lifestyle changes.
While lifestyle changes aren’t a cure-all, they can be a great complement to professional treatment. They can also provide relief from difficult mental health symptoms, in moments of need. For example, experts recommend the following for those struggling mentally and emotionally:
- Prioritizing good sleep, including a structured bedtime and wake-up routine
- Incorporating movement and exercise (even just a walk or stretch) into your routine
- Eating healthy, balanced meals and staying hydrated
- Reducing or stopping alcohol and substance use
- Increasing time spent outdoors, when possible
- Spending more time with friends and family that support you
- Saying “no” to people or situations that trigger your negative symptoms
- Taking time for self-care, especially to prevent stress and burnout
In a structured treatment program, many of these changes are enacted and prioritized throughout your stay, so that you’ll be ready to incorporate them into your routine post-treatment.
- Consider more intensive, longer-term, or residential care.
If symptoms are severe, persistent, or interfering with daily life despite outpatient therapy, it may be time to consider a higher level of care. For example, a residential mental health treatment program can provide you with added structure, support, and stability, as well as a community of peers and mentors, to help you through recovery. Residential treatment programs mean that clients live at the facility in which they are receiving care, and have access to multiple therapy modalities, 24/7 support, and comfortable healing environments.
Needing more structured or intensive support doesn’t mean therapy has “failed.” It doesn’t mean you have failed. It means your symptoms deserve more comprehensive care.
If you are unsure where to turn, know that Turnbridge is here for you. We know, from many years of experience and working with clients of all backgrounds, that finding the right treatment plan takes time. Just remember that when therapy doesn’t work the first or even second time, it doesn’t mean an end to your journey. It just means that a change is required.
Interested in speaking with a treatment professional about your next steps? Call Turnbridge today at 877-581-1793 to speak with a specialist.