Many people ask us how long it takes to achieve meaningful change.
Without knowing the details of a person’s situation, it is impossible to give a reliable answer. Three main factors need to be considered:
- How much work needs to be done?
- How much change can a person take on and integrate at one time?
- How motivated and consistent is the person in putting change into practice and building new habits?
Metaphorically, the first factor is the size of the heap of earth that needs to be moved. The second is the size of the shovel. The third is how much energy a person puts into the work — and how consistently they use the shovel.
If the heap is large and the shovel is small, but we work steadily, we can still make substantial progress within a reasonable time. On the other hand, if the heap is relatively small and the shovel is large, but we do not use it, nothing will change.
So, how long it takes you to change depends on at least these three factors.
You are the person who will change your life. We cannot do that work for you. We can guide and support the process by providing psychoeducation and working with you through trauma and painful memories. We can help you develop new skills and strategies, change established habits, see things in new ways, and examine and revise the values and beliefs that shape your life.
