Personally, I've known people who have gone for years. My theory: if you are going for years, it's not helping.
That's just my opinion, though.
I think they can be helpful in giving someone tools for handling issues in their life.

I've spent thousands in therapy and it helped because my therapist showed me that I don't 'go to therapy' but rather "I am the therapy" and made all my big decisions on those weeks. Looking back now, I proud that I had it to 'run to the hills' because the relationship wasn't worth it and I had a difficult block to overcome to begin to see it.

I've been in therapy for years, and I would feel very alone if I didn't have it as an outlet. Therapy is not for "going to get yourself fixed". It is a means of support during the rough patches in your life. Very few people can understand, or even want to hear about all of my step drama. My therapist is not there to give me all the answers. She's there to lead me to my own solutions through affirmation and open communication. I totally disagree that if someone has been going for years, then the therapy isn't helping. There are highs and lows, and the human brain is designed to be complex. I would be very leery of any therapist that had a pre-determinate amount of sessions to declare me "fixed". That's wacky.

It has helped me immensely and saved my marriage. He taught my DH a lot! I'm thankful for it.

We've only been going for 2 months, but I wish now we would have gone years ago.

I haven't been in therapy for almost 10 years now but spent my entire childhood in therapy. I can't say enough about my therapist. I loved her, she was extraordinary, especially considering for at least 2 years I didn't say a word to her. She went to court on my behalf and was truly there for me.

My SO went into therapy soon after we met. His therapist was a little new age..but I think it was honestly for the best. He was able to make my SO shut up, sit quietly and think. That is rare lol. SO really enjoyed his time there.

Sadly, my DH & I have up until a week ago been going to "marriage counseling" & it's been a HUGE mistake for us!!! BUT, I think we got the crapshoot "therapist" and now we need to find someone else. We leave her office in horrible arguments & frankly I'm disgusted by the woman. I'll explain. My DH went thru a few months of online porno & talking to other women, obviously behind my back. So now I have trust issues. I was soooo hoping the counseling would help. Well- its made it so much worse off. Last session I decided I was done with it, and I left with the intent to not go back. Pretty much my DH was trying to make lousy excuses for his behaviours- like "well sometimes I come home from work, and she (me) has her hair pulled up in a ponytail & I don't like her hair that way-- therefore when she tried to kiss me- I refused to". I'm being serious as a heart attack here- thus is what he said. So the "therapist" looked at me & asked me to stop wearing my hair up (which is like once a week mind you) so that I would be more appealing to my DH!!!!! This is just one of many ridiculous things this "therapist" suggested. Now, mind you- I do my hair nice everyday & makeup & all.

Pretty much anything my DH said- she went along with. Folks- where is the "love" in trying to make me into someone I'm not. My DH has me soooo confused right now-- as this week he said he now "loves" my hair pulled up?!?!?!

Pretty much- I think we just got a bad apple do to speak. So we are starting over fresh this time - thru our church minister. I hope it works cause I want things to get better. But I'm bummed it was like that with this one.

Anyone else had to switch? Even my MIL told my DH the things she was telling DH to do or say was waaaaay wrong. Pretty much she wanted me to be a doormat to my DH. Big. Big. Bummer!!!

Yeah, I think it's best we find a new one. I just kinda feel like it was another failure tho. We never made a follow up appointment with her- which we usually did before we left. I was so happy to go to counseling, but shortly after starting, we both went separately to see her. She agreed that I needed to work on my self esteem, and she thought my DH may have a personality disorder. Told me to read up in it, then when we were all together again, it's like she switched and she kept agreeing with my DH on all these physical changes he wants from me, in order fit him to not withhold affection from me?!? Way too confused now. My DH is out of town for two weeks, so at least it's giving me time to think & process. I'm far more confused about my DH now, then I was before.