How does short-term therapy work?

When something is on your mind, talking about it can make a big difference. You don’t always have to spend months or years in therapy to get unbiased, confidential support. In some cases, you may benefit from short-term therapy. Many employers offer no-cost options, such as First Stop Health Short-Term Therapy.

What is short-term therapy?  

You may have heard of long-term therapy, where you regularly see your therapist for months or even years. Patients focus on a deeper exploration of the root causes of ongoing life issues. 

Short-term therapy takes a more solution-oriented approach. During this type of therapy, you’ll focus on identifying immediate solutions to the issue you are facing. With First Stop Health Short-Term Therapy, you will work with your therapist to: 

• Gain new strategies for navigating life’s challenges. Your therapist can help you make sense of difficult situations, learn new coping strategies, and develop healthy habits to adapt to challenges.
• Solve problems and make changes to improve your life. Life is constantly changing and so are you. Your therapist will work with you to solve the problem at hand and provide guidance so you can get back to feeling your best.  
• Get referrals to longer-term care, if needed. If you know you need support but aren’t sure where to start, short-term therapy can be a great place to get started. First Stop Health therapy can provide referrals to in-network therapists, support groups and more when needed.
  

When should I use short-term therapy?

Knowing when you should reach out for guidance can be tough. While there is no one right reason to seek therapy, you might want to consider it when you:

• Have run out of advice from friends and family.
• Are going through a change in your career, relationship or living situation. 
• Are experiencing new feelings of depression or anxiety.  
• Are ready to get support for alcohol or substance use. 
• Have recently lost a loved one or close friend. 
• Just feel like you need to talk with someone. Trust yourself.

How First Stop Health Short-Term Therapy works.

First Stop Health Short-Term Therapy is confidential care provided by your employer. After requesting a visit, a therapist will call you to learn about what you’re going through (such as depression, anxiety, or relationship concerns). Together, you’ll schedule a visit with a therapist who can address your specific needs.  

You will work with your therapy to gain the tools and skills you need to feel better. The number of visits you have will depend upon your progress and level of need. In some cases, a therapist may evaluate that you would benefit from longer term therapy.