Why Weekly Sessions Might Not Always Be the Best Fit

The most obvious reason weekly sessions aren’t always ideal is financial. For many therapists and coaches, a weekly model makes sense for their own financial stability, and I have no judgment about that. But I want to share my own experiences and what I’ve noticed with clients.

When I decided to go back to therapy last year, I mentioned to the therapist that fortnightly would work well for me since I felt stable and safe at the time.

Then, as my first appointment got closer, life suddenly felt much heavier.

It’s funny—when you know about the therapeutic process, you can recognise when another layer is surfacing, ready to be addressed. But oh boy, the intensity was real. Suddenly, fortnightly didn’t feel like enough.

The moment I sat down with my therapist, I felt an immediate sense of calm and relief. Thankfully, they had more availability, and we shifted to weekly sessions for a month. That steady support became a grounding anchor, helping me navigate everything that was coming up.

Then, transitioning to fortnightly sessions felt right. I noticed something important: I couldn’t just white-knuckle my way through the week and collapse into a session for relief. I had to build the capacity to hold myself through the difficult moments. To cultivate a sense of, I am capable. I have the skills. I don’t have to outsource this entirely. At the same time, being with a therapist reminded me—I don’t have to do this alone.

The Pressure of Weekly Sessions

Over the years, I’ve seen that for some people, building relationships and accepting support can feel overwhelming. Weekly sessions might be too intense. Letting someone in, sitting with big feelings—that can be terrifying. I’ve watched people cancel, feel ashamed, and avoid coming back. And I wonder: If we had agreed from the start to meet fortnightly or monthly, would that have honoured their natural rhythm and reduced some of that shame?

I also think about what’s embedded in different therapeutic models. For bodyworkers, for example, it’s understood that clients might drop in for a single session or come at a pace that works for them—whether for financial or emotional reasons. When clients get to choose, does that naturally increase their sense of agency?

I trust you to know what works best for you.

The Beauty of Dropping In

Looking ahead, I love the idea of having the option to drop in for a session when needed. Seeing clients a year later for a one-off or a couple of sessions is a beautiful thing. I love hearing them say, Things have actually been great since I last saw you, but I have this one dilemma I want to talk through.

I remember a time when I had a difficult experience in an old job. Friends and family were quick to tell me how terrible the other people were, how right I was to be hurt. Everyone had an opinion, but what I really needed was space—to process how I felt, to reflect, and to own my part in the dynamic. It was easy to stay stuck in self-righteousness or victimhood. A check-in with my therapist—after a year of not seeing them—helped me find that clarity. I like to think of it as a neutral little bubble I can drop into and out of as needed.

We Learn Safety in Relationships

We aren’t meant to go through life alone. We learn and experience safety in relationships. And yet, in modern society, we don’t always have elders or community figures to hold that neutral space for us. In many ways, therapists and coaches have stepped into that role.

Maybe the best approach isn’t always weekly. Maybe it’s about creating space—on our own terms, in our own timing—to reconnect, reflect, and keep going.