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Two or Three Sessions? A Discussion of Some Ideas about the Frequency of Sessions in Psychotherapy
Author(s) -
Barnett Ruth
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
british journal of psychotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1752-0118
pISSN - 0265-9883
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-0118.1992.tb01205.x
Subject(s) - psychology , psychotherapist , session (web analytics) , ideology , cognitive psychology , computer science , politics , world wide web , political science , law
SUMMARY. In this paper I explore some issues involved in attempting to assess whether there are definable differences, beneficial or otherwise, between psychotherapy at two times and three times a week. I question the common assumption that more is better and I explore whether there is good reason to formulate such an hypothesis and how far it might be tested and evaluated. Firstly, I consider the number of sessions we have ourselves experienced in our training therapies. Secondly, I look at some assumptions we make about the work we do with our patients with regard to number of sessions per week and I illustrate this with material from some of my own patients. Thirdly, I attempt to draw this discussion together around the question of the optimum number of sessions per week. I conclude that there are some discernable differences between the work in two or three sessions a week. Assessment of their benefits and/or disadvantages is more difficult and open to the influence of ideological assumptions and prejudices. My material shows that the frequency of sessions may have rather different meanings for different patients. Nor will therapists necessarily agree on how the different use made of two or three sessions is to be regarded.