PST is typically a short-term therapy, and that’s part of its appeal since it’s structured, goal-focused, and designed to teach you practical skills in a relatively brief time.
Most research-backed PST protocols last:
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- 6 to 8 weekly sessions for mild to moderate depression.
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- Up to 12 sessions if the issues are more complex or if progress is slower.
Each session is usually 45–60 minutes, and the focus is on:
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- Finding a current problem.
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- Breaking it down.
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- Brainstorming solutions.
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- Choosing and testing one.
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- Evaluating how it went.
- Can it be extended?
Yes, some people benefit from:
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- A few booster sessions (monthly check-ins after the initial course).
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- More sessions if life is particularly complex (multiple concurrent stressors).
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- Combining PST with another approach, like CBT, ACT, or supportive therapy, if more depth or flexibility is needed.
- You might need fewer sessions if:
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- You’re highly motivated and practice between sessions.
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- You’re dealing with a single, clearly defined issue.
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- You’ve had therapy before and just need to refresh your skills.
- You may need more sessions if:
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- Depression is moderate to severe.
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- You have co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, ADHD, and chronic pain.
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- You struggle with follow-through or executive functioning.
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- Your problems are more systemic or relational than situational.
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