Changing Treatment and Changing Therapists

Kelly Anderson, PhD

In parts one and two of our blog series, we explored how medication management and psychological assessments can be helpful tools to overcome “stuckness” in therapy. Now, in part three, we dive into the potential positive aspects of shifting treatment modalities or working with a new therapist as strategies to break free from stagnation.

Changing Treatment Modalities: A Different Approach

Therapeutic progress can plateau when the current treatment modality no longer resonates with you or you’ve reached the maximum benefit from the specific approach. Switching treatment modalities introduces different techniques and perspectives that can jump-start your therapy helping you to regain momentum. For example, transitioning from individual therapy to group therapy can provide a supportive community and varied insights from people with the same experiences as you. Other times it may look like changing the type of individual therapy, let’s say for depression, from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Person-Centered therapy. Both are well-supported treatments for depression but have vastly different approaches and techniques to help you overcome symptoms. While your current therapist may be a CBT expert, they may not have a background in Person-Centered Therapy (or another therapy). Most therapists are experts in a limited number of treatment modalities and finding a new therapist in this case might be necessary.

Fresh Perspectives and New Strategies

A new treatment modality brings a fresh set of perspectives and tools to the table. This change can invigorate the therapeutic journey, sparking innovative strategies that resonate with you. Different therapeutic approaches may shed light on unexplored aspects of the self, allowing for deeper self-discovery and progress.

Breaking Patterns and Gaining Empowerment

Sometimes, the familiarity of a routine can inadvertently reinforce unhelpful patterns. Changing treatment modalities disrupts these patterns, promoting adaptability and fostering a sense of empowerment. It encourages clients to actively engage in their therapeutic journey and take ownership of their progress.

When to Consider Changing Therapists

Change is hard. We all know this and yet, if you’re finding you’re stuck in therapy and have exhausted other avenues, finding a new therapist may be the next step. Starting therapy is really tough for most people and starting therapy again with a new therapist is often even more difficult. When speaking with new clients this is one of the most common reasons they share as to why they stayed with their previous therapist for so long, even though it was no longer working.

When it comes to my clients if for any reason we have decided that they need a change in therapists, I talk to them about this as an opportunity. Beginning a course of treatment with someone new, especially if they’ve been seeing me for some time, is an amazing opportunity to make progress. I can only discuss things - such as symptoms, treatment, and my perspectives on skills - in one way. My way. My way may be amazing … but, it’s just one perspective. If a client is stuck or we identify an issue I can’t thoroughly treat, getting another informed, educated perspective can make all the difference. Every therapist has their own style and delivery of skills and feedback. Getting more than one perspective or style can only help you in your therapeutic journey.

All this to say change, even if your therapist is amazing, can be helpful. Change, even when it’s really hard, is a catalyst for growth. A strong therapeutic relationship and feeling comfortable with your therapist is vital for therapeutic success and this often comes with long-term treatment with the same provider. However, it's normal for clients to outgrow a therapist or find that the current therapist's approach doesn't quite fit anymore. Clients evolve over the course of treatment and sometimes this mean making the hard choice to change providers. Recognizing this, and having an open conversation with your therapist, can lead to a positive transition to a new therapeutic alliance that feels more aligned and conducive to growth. Below are just a few of the reasons you may consider making a therapist change:

When treatment progress has stalled and you can’t get unstuck.
After speaking with your therapist about changing approaches and learning if they’re able to accommodate that change.
When you no longer feel that the therapy/therapist is serving you.
If your therapist is resistant to change.
Any other time you feel it would help!

Therapeutic success often hinges on finding the right fit—a modality or therapist that truly resonates. Just as each person is unique, so too are therapeutic needs. Exploring different approaches and therapists helps individuals find the combination that sparks connection, trust, and a sense of safety, enabling more meaningful and productive therapeutic work.

I Feel Stuck in Therapy, What's Next? (Part 3)