Starting therapy is a brave step that many of our patients at Betterway Psychiatry find bothexciting and a little nerve-wracking. Among the most common questions our Oklahoma City teamhears: "How often should I be coming in for sessions?"
It's a great question, and while there's no one-size-fits-all answer, Dr. Yemi Adeyiga and AbbyAdeyiga have helped hundreds of clients find their perfect therapy rhythm over their combined 20+years of experience. Think of it like finding the right workout schedule – some people thrive withmore frequent sessions, while others need more time to process between appointments.
When our practitioners first meet with new clients, we typically recommend starting with weeklysessions. This builds momentum and establishes a strong therapeutic relationship from the get-go,kind of like how the first few weeks of any new habit are crucial for making it stick.
But here's something we emphasize at both our Oklahoma City and Shawnee locations: mentalhealth journeys are deeply personal. What brings healing to one person might feel overwhelmingto another. Some clients need that weekly touchpoint to feel grounded, while others might benefitfrom twice-weekly sessions during tough times like grief or trauma recovery. Then there arepeople who connect more deeply with their growth when sessions happen every other week. At Betterway, we honor every path – there's no standard formula that works for everyone.
People working through major life challenges often benefit from more frequent therapy sessions. Consider someone navigating a divorce. They might begin with weekly sessions, sometimes eventwice weekly during particularly difficult periods. Then as they develop coping strategies, those sessions naturally space out. Eventually, monthly check-ins provide just enough guidance to stayon course. It's like training wheels on a bike – you need them a lot at first, and then gradually less and less.
During calmer life periods, when the focus shifts to personal growth or maintaining progress, the frequency of therapy sessions typically decreases. Every other week or monthly sessions provide room to practice new skills while still having regular support. We've seen this work beautifully for so many of our Oklahoma clients.
At Betterway, we believe in transparent conversations about the financial aspect of care. Our sessions are $200, and we accept many insurance plans including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, Medicaid, and SoonerCare. We also offer sliding scale options for eligible clients because we understand that therapy involves both financial and emotional investment. Let's be real – therapy is amazing, but it shouldn't mean choosing between mental health and paying your electric bill!
We view therapy as a journey with different phases. During the initial phase, weekly sessions serve as essential guidance. This typically spans several months as you build trust with your
therapist and address your primary concerns – kind of like the getting-to-know-you phase in any relationship.
As your skills grow, sessions might shift to every other week. The work often deepens during this phase, with more space between sessions to practice what you're learning. It's like how in school,you learn something in class and then need time to do your homework before the next lesson.
Once you're navigating your emotional waters with confidence, sessions might extend to every 3-4 weeks. Many clients who've made significant progress eventually transition to occasional check-ins—perhaps during life transitions or for periodic maintenance. One of our long-term clients callsit her "mental health oil change" – just checking in every few months to make sure everything's running smoothly!
From our experience helping adults, teens, and families, we've noticed patterns that might helpyou determine if you need to adjust your schedule:
At Betterway Psychiatry, we pride ourselves on our holistic approach to mental health. Our team integrates psychotherapy with medication management to create personalized treatment plans. We're not about slapping cookie-cutter solutions on complex problems!
For common concerns like anxiety and depression, starting with weekly sessions for about 12-16 weeks provides a helpful foundation before potentially spacing out. But remember, these are just guidelines. The ideal frequency of therapy sessions always depends on your unique circumstances.
So how often should you go to therapy? It depends on your individual needs and practical realities. Many clients start with weekly sessions, then gradually transition to biweekly as they developcoping skills. Others find monthly visits work during stable periods but increase frequency during challenges.
What matters most is that your therapy schedule supports your healing journey. When you're ready to explore what might work best for you, our team is here to help. You can reach us at (405)731-3329 or visit betterwaymentalhealth.org to schedule at either our Oklahoma City or Shawnee location.
