Knowing when to stop therapy is just as essential as knowing when to start.

Signs you might be ready to stop supportive therapy:

1. Your symptoms have substantially improved

If your depressive symptoms have lessened to a manageable level and stayed stable for a while, that’s a strong indicator you’re ready to move on.

Research implies remission is usually defined as a sustained period (at least 2 months) with minimal or no symptoms.

2. You feel more emotionally resilient

You’re better at managing stress, setbacks, or bad days without immediately spiraling into depression.

Supportive therapy regularly aims to boost coping skills, so if you’re using them outside of sessions, that’s a sign you’re ready.

3. You’re making decisions independently

One risk of supportive therapy is becoming dependent on the therapist for guidance.

If you find yourself trusting your judgment more, needing less confirmation, and acting with confidence, that’s a major win.

4. You’ve met the goals you set
   
   

If you and your psychotherapist set clear therapy goals (like rebuilding self-esteem, maintaining work or social connections, or reducing depressive episodes), and you’ve achieved them, it’s a natural time to think about wrapping up.

5. Sessions feel repetitive or less necessary

It might mean you’re ready to move on if you notice that you’re not bringing much new to therapy, or you’re spending most sessions just updating your therapist about life without digging into real emotional work.

6. You can handle relapse warning signs
   
   

Depression is often recurrent.

If you now recognize early signs of a downturn like irritability, sleep changes, withdrawal, and you have a plan to respond early, you’ve developed a strong safety net.

That’s another indicator that the therapy has done its job.

How to stop supportive therapy the right way:

• Taper, don’t drop

You can space sessions out gradually instead of ending abruptly. For example, moving from weekly to biweekly, then monthly.

This helps you adjust and monitor how you do with less frequent support.

• Plan a relapse prevention strategy

Before ending, work with your therapist to set up a plan for what to do if symptoms return, including when and how to seek help again.

• Leave the door open

Many therapists promote “booster sessions” months after therapy ends, just to check in.

It’s not a failure if you come back. I would consider it smart, preventive care.