---
title: "How Long Does Therapy Take to Work?"
heading: "How Long Does Therapy Take?"
url: https://drvohras.com/guides/how-long-does-therapy-take
language: en-IN
author: "Dr Vohra's"
updated: 2026-10-21
license: "Page text: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)."
---

# How Long Does Therapy Take?

This is the markdown version of https://drvohras.com/guides/how-long-does-therapy-take, a page of Dr Vohra's, a psychiatry and psychology clinic in New Delhi. It is information, not medical advice; the clinic's contact details are at the end.

Most people notice something shifting within four to six weekly sessions. A defined problem (a decision, a phase of stress, a specific fear) usually takes 6 to 12 sessions; depression and anxiety disorders 12 to 20; OCD 12 to 20 sessions of ERP; complex trauma or long-standing patterns six months to a year or more. If nothing has changed by session six, the plan is reviewed, not continued unchanged.

Dr Vohra's · Updated 21 October 2026

## Typical lengths by problem

Sessions are usually weekly at first, then spaced out as things improve. These are ranges, not promises; your psychologist will give you a plan after the first session.

| Problem | Usual number of sessions | Approach |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stress, a decision, a transition | 6 to 12 | Counselling, REBT |
| Panic disorder, specific phobia | 6 to 12 | CBT with exposure |
| Generalised or social anxiety | 12 to 16 | CBT |
| Depression, mild to moderate | 12 to 20 | CBT, interpersonal therapy |
| OCD | 12 to 20 | ERP |
| Insomnia | 4 to 8 | CBT-I |
| PTSD | 8 to 16 | Trauma-focused CBT |
| Complex trauma, personality patterns | 6 to 12 months or longer | Phased therapy, DBT, schema-informed work |
| Couples | 8 to 20 | Couples therapy |

## What speeds therapy up

- Doing the between-session tasks
- Keeping the weekly rhythm; gaps lose momentum
- Being specific about what you want to change
- Telling the therapist when something is not working
- Treating sleep, alcohol or medication issues alongside

## When therapy and medication go together

For moderate to severe depression, OCD and some anxiety disorders, therapy plus medication works faster and better than either alone. At Dr Vohra's a psychologist can bring in a psychiatrist without a new referral.

## Frequently asked questions

- **What if I do not feel better after a few sessions?**: Say so. By session six there should be some change; if not, the approach, the goals or the therapist may need to change, and that is a normal part of therapy.
- **Is online therapy slower?**: No. Trials of video CBT show similar timelines to in-person therapy.
- **How do I book at Dr Vohra's?**: Call or WhatsApp +91 99992 49223, email help@drvohras.com, or use the contact form. In person at 29/24, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110008, or online across India.
- **What if this is an emergency?**: Call Tele-MANAS 14416 or KIRAN 1800-599-0019 (24x7, free) or 112. Dr Vohra's is not an emergency service.

## Book a consultation

Call [+91 99992 49223](tel:+919999249223), email [help@drvohras.com](mailto:help@drvohras.com), or visit us at 29/24, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110008. Online consultations are available across India in English and Hindi.

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If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, call Tele-MANAS [14416](tel:14416), KIRAN [1800-599-0019](tel:18005990019) or Emergency services [112](tel:112). Tele-MANAS and KIRAN are 24x7 and free anywhere in India. Dr Vohra's is not a crisis or emergency service.