How long?

People often want to know how long it is going to take to deal with the issue they bring to therapy. Understandably they want to know what they're letting themselves in for. It's very hard to give a clear answer - a case of 'how long is a piece of string?'. Some people come with a very specific issue and after 6-10 weeks feel they have achieved what they came for. Many, however, know when they come, or realise within the first few weeks, that there are longer-term issues to tackle. I usually work with people for any time between three months and five years.