5 Signs You're Ready To Stop Seeing A Therapist (And 1 You Aren't)

This is one of the many signs you may be ready to stop therapy—perhaps not forever, but for now. Below, a few more indications that you're ready to take a break from therapy, from the founder of Ellie Mental Health Erin Pash, M.A., LMFT. 

However, if the reasons you started going to therapy are still causing major emotional distress, then that's a sign you should keep therapy high on your to-do list, Pash says.

Now, if you notice you usually have one or two things to go over but not enough to make an entire session worth the cost, you may be better off slowing down rather than stopping altogether. More on that in a bit.

Finally, you may be tempted to leave some topics untouched in therapy because you're nervous to dive deep into difficult emotions. While it's not always easy, try to evaluate your "why" behind canceling before stopping altogether.

This one is tricky because sometimes you'll be tempted to cancel therapy not because you don't have anything to go over but because you don't have the resources to pay for it. If that's the case, check out these six more affordable therapy options for every budget.

Again, analyze your why behind finding a new therapist. Do you still have a list of personal growth goals? Do you want continued support? Do you want a new challenge or therapy style? Or are you doing it just because?

Pash reminds us, "People have to be ready for therapy for therapy to work." So if you're just not ready, that's OK. You can take a break and come back when you do feel motivated to work through whatever it is that's causing a major shift in your life. 

Still not sure if you should stick with your therapist? It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Here are two more options if you want to continue therapy but make a change:

Think it's time to stop therapy? If you've met your goals, have nothing to talk about, resent the cost, feel unmotivated to find a new therapist, or are currently going through something you need time to process, it may be a good idea. Your best bet is to analyze the "why" behind your commitment to therapy and go from there. And remember: There are other types of mental health treatment beyond cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—here are 14 other styles to consider.