How to Make the Most Out of Your First Five Therapy Sessions
By Deidre McHugh, DNP, PMHNP-BC
3 min read
As a psychiatric nurse practitioner and part of the clinical team at Lavender Psychiatry, one of the most common questions we hear from new clients is: “How long will it take before I start to feel better?”
It’s a completely understandable question. When you're seeking help with your mental health, you want to feel some sort of relief as quickly as possible. You want to know how much time and energy it’s going to take before you feel like it’s worth it, and that’s why we recommend that our clients stay with our care for at least five sessions. At Lavender Psychiatry, we call it Five to Thrive, and it’s a core part of how we support people in building meaningful, lasting progress in their mental health journeys.
Why the First Few Sessions Matter Most
There’s something really powerful about those first few months of care, and research backs this up: people who have consistent, frequent appointments early on in treatment tend to feel better, stay with care longer, and build stronger relationships with their providers. And at Lavender Psychiatry, this is exactly what we aim for.
In my experience, when our clients see their psych NP on a frequent basis, they’re able to establish a good momentum. We’re able to get to know each other, track the frequency and intensity of their symptoms, and if needed, make tweaks to their treatment plans thoughtfully and efficiently, and sometimes this includes medication.
More Appointments Early On Lead to Better Outcomes
Here’s the part that really makes a difference: when you’re seen more often at the beginning of care, the outcomes tend to be better because we have more time to build rapport. The relationship between the client and psych NPs isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation of effective care.
This is also why we try to schedule your first few sessions closer to one another, so you’re not left waiting weeks between each touchpoint. These early visits are where we lay the groundwork: getting to know your goals, looking at what’s been helping (and what hasn’t), and building a care plan that feels manageable and fits into your life.
We also use this time to check in and make sure you feel comfortable with the direction we’re going. And if something doesn’t feel quite right, we’re here to talk it through and adjust things together. Your care should always feel collaborative, supportive, and centered around you.
Why Five Sessions?
There’s actually no magic number, but we’ve noticed that five sessions is often enough time to start noticing small shifts. Sometimes these shifts are internal, like having a little more hope and a little less overwhelm from your triggers. Other times, they’re more tangible, like having fewer panic attacks or getting a few more hours of peaceful sleep at night.
It’s also around this time that we’ve had the chance to adjust medications if needed, talk through side effects, and find the right fit. Medication isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. It takes time, care, and collaboration. And even if you’re working with another therapist or medical professional outside of Lavender Psychiatry (which is totally fine!), having regular contact with the person managing your medications is still beneficial.
If you’re just starting out with us, know this: it’s okay if you don’t feel better right away or in five sessions—that doesn’t mean your care isn’t working. It just means your brain and body are adjusting, which takes time and patience. Everyone moves at a different pace, and that’s what Five to Thrive is all about. It’s not a quick fix, but a steady path forward.
I understand that scheduling multiple appointments upfront can feel like a big ask, especially if you’re busy or unsure of therapy to begin with. But if you invest in those first five sessions, ideally within the first three months, it gives us the best chance of helping you feel better, faster. And more importantly, it helps us build a relationship where you feel safe, heard, and understood.
No matter where you're starting from, we're here to walk alongside you, one step at a time. And if you can give it five, you’re creating a space for real progress to begin. If you’re ready to take that first step, filling out our brief intake form is a great place to start so we can get to know a little about you and what you’re looking for.
All content and information on this website are for informational purposes only. None of the material is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This information does not create any client-provider relationship. Please consult with your mental health care provider before making any health care decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.