Five Indicators Suggesting a Need for a New Mental Health Professional

Ain't It Strange with a Top-Notch Therapist? The moment arrives when the best part of working with a fantastic shrink is no longer required - you've grown past the need for their assistance. Yes, it's paradoxical, and it might seem backward, but it's totally normal to mature beyond your therapist, as extraordinary as that may sound. And it's usually a positive sign of growth that any professional worth their salt in the therapy world will be happy to see, according to Patrice Le Goy, PhD, LMFT, a renowned couples counselor based in L.A.

"The goal for my patients is to become self-reliant, utilizing what they've learned from our sessions and no longer having the necessity for me," Dr. Le Goy tells us. In some cases, this might mean taking a break or switching to a practitioner better suited to addressing your newest concerns and desires. "It's also essential to remember that not everyone will outgrow their therapist," Dr. Le Goy points out. "There are folks who benefit more from long-term therapy with the same specialist."

Deciding when to cut the proverbial cord with your therapist isn't always straightforward. Keep an eye out for these discreet pointers that can help you determine whether it's time to bid adieu to your regularcheck-ins.

1. You've reached your targets

Remember why you needed therapy? Maybe you sought help dealing with a specific fear, like flight phobia, or you needed assistance healing from a rough breakup. "Many patients walk in the door seeking help with a particular crisis they're trying to address," Dr. Le Goy explains. Once they've conquered their battle, for instance, being able to fly without panicking or being emotionally set to embark on new romantic adventures - "they often feel empowered to step away from their therapist."

Of course, not everyone has a specific objective in mind when seeking therapy. "Sometimes, people simply value the stability of knowing there's a weekly check-in, someone to chat things through with, and process their thoughts," says Allison Lee Burgess, LMFT, a popular therapist in L.A. "That's why I prefer doing periodic reviews with my clients, to see if their original goals have been met or if they need to be readjusted." If your own counselor isn't as proactive? Don't hesitate to initiate a review with them to determine if there's still potential for growth or if it's time to seek new horizons.

2. You require guidance outside your therapist's specialty

"Nobody can be a jack-of-all-trades," Burgess points out. "I've got my areas of expertise that I excel in, but I certainly don't claim to be an expert in every field." Gradually, it may make sense to move to a professional with distinct qualifications if, for example, your current therapist aided in resolving commitment issues, but now you need someone who's an expert in EMDR to tackle deeper trauma."

Alternatively, this could be a matter of personal preference. A new parent, for instance, might feel more connected with a therapist who's also a parent and can offer guidance from a more personal perspective. Or someone new to the dating scene could want a bias-free zone furnished by an experienced counselor who's worked extensively with LGBTQ+ clients.

In such scenarios, transitioning providers is just about ensuring your evolving requirements are met: "As your life changes, so do your needs," Burgess states, "and you will grow the most from a therapist who truly understands this stage of your life."

3. Your gatherings feel repetitive and monotonous

If your get-togethers resemble raw, uninteresting check-ins rather than meaningful dialogues, it could indicate that you've dealt with the core issues that led you to therapy initially.

There's nothing inherently bad about boring chats, though. In reality, they may even be useful. But there are times when you might yearn for more in-depth exploration and bigger challenges, in which case, Dr. Dortch suggests that "repetitive positive chats might be a sign you're ready for the next level of growth."

4. You have not gained any new insights

A significant allure of therapy is the opportunity to garner new tips or techniques, such as navigating conflicts in relationships or cognitive methods for handling criticism constructively. But after making considerable progress, you may find that your therapist's guiding questions no longer lead you to breakthroughs, and their exercises feel stale. Instead of leaving your session with valuable insights, you may feel as though "I didn't require this appointment today."

For the record, it's possible this is merely a sign that you've successfully integrated your therapist's advice and are employing it independently. As long as you have achieved this level of self-awareness, however, Dr. Dortch adds that it's wise to ponder the future of your mental health journey. Some people may wish to keep practicing what they've learned, while others might opt for a practitioner offering fresh approaches to personal growth.

5. Your therapist proposes less frequent visits - and it feels right.

If you've steadily put in the work, explored tough emotions, and observed the changes you wanted, your counselor might suggest scaling back the frequency of your meetings to bi-weekly or monthly check-ins. In some instances, they may even suggest a gradual exit plan. This isn't a sign of failure, and it shouldn't be taken personally. In fact, it's usually a tough conversation to have, "but I talk to my patient about this early on when I sense they're prepared to handle challenges independently and move into a more autonomous phase of self-care."

Whatever path you choose - be it continuing with occasional maintenance sessions, finding a new therapist, or bid adieu to therapy altogether (more on that here), the choice is yours, and any therapist fully committed to your well-being should be more than willing to steer you in the right direction.

Graduating doesn't mean saying goodbye forever. The excellent news is, even once you've outgrown your therapist, you can always come back if you ever need additional support.

*Related:

7 Red Flags Your Therapist Should Never Ignore
Help Your Loved Ones Understand the Importance of Therapy
6 Habits You Should Break for the Sake of Your Mental Health
Breaking Free: When to Change Therapists or Take a Break
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