Why Extended Sessions Are Useful in Art Therapy

If you’ve been to therapy, you probably know that the typical length of session is around 50 minutes. We therapists call this a “therapy hour.” While 50 minutes can be sufficient for weekly therapy, there are many situations in which an extended session can be incredibly powerful. Each therapist may define “extended sessions” differently, but here, I’m talking about 75-minute and 90-minute sessions. Whether you’re already in a groove with therapy or you’re seeking to start your therapy journey, consider the following reasons why extended sessions might be for you, particularly for art therapy.

Benefits to Extended Art Therapy Sessions

Deeper Processing

The additional time can provide space for deeper exploration of emotions, beliefs, and thoughts. It provides time to practice new skills in addition to the meaningful processing. Because of this deeper processing, many clients experience faster progress on their therapy goals in comparison to more frequent 50-minute sessions.

Oftentimes, I find that a client and I get to the magic, or the profound insights, around the 40-minute mark. This is when we make a discovery about a belief, have a powerful realization, or see a significant demonstration of progress. While it’s a beautiful moment, we do have to limit the depth at which we process it since part of the therapist’s job is to help the client feel grounded enough to go back into the world.

Imagine sitting in a 90-minute session, getting to the magic at 40 minutes and having 50 more minutes to dig in and really make some meaningful progress?! Wow.

Less Rushed in the Creative Process

Art therapy requires time to set up materials at the start of a session and clean up materials at the end. While these activities may seem minor, they do take time. The art-making process itself, of course, takes time as well. The time needed for the art therapy interventions varies greatly and depends on the material, goal, and other factors. Art-making in art therapy can take anywhere from 5 minutes to multiple sessions. Having the extra time to let the client find their flow in the creative process can be incredibly valuable.

Art therapists also make space for verbal processing of the art-making experience, as it’s an important part of discovering the impact on the client. Having at least 10 minutes to process is extremely important.

Let’s map out what a typical 50-minute art therapy session might look like:

Check-in: 5 minutes (sometimes more time is needed here to really identify the needs for the session)
Art materials set up: 3 minutes
Art-making: 20 minutes (this is where time typically has to be cut short)
Verbal Processing: 10 minutes (another spot where time may need to be cut short)
Clean Up: 5 minutes
Last thoughts, homework, and scheduling: 5 minutes

Now, let’s see what the difference could be with a 90-minute art therapy session:

Check-in: 15 minutes (less rushed transition into the therapeutic mindset)
Art materials set up: 5 minutes
Art-making: 40 minutes (more space to dig into the process)
Verbal Processing: 20 minutes (more space to be present with the artwork, physical sensations, emotions, and insights)
Clean Up: 5 minutes
Last thoughts, homework, and scheduling: 5 minutes

As you may see, the 50-minute structure can be challenging for art therapy. While it can be done, the longer structure gives more space for the creative process and discussion.

Scheduling Convenience

For those who have complex schedules, travel frequently, or for other reasons find it difficult to schedule a weekly 50-minute therapy session, extended sessions may be a solution. Since more time is spent in a session in one sitting, the client and therapist may choose to schedule sessions less frequently than weekly. Meeting every other week or even monthly then allows the client to engage in their busy schedule without needing to commit to a weekly 50-minute block. Duration and frequency of sessions may vary depending on the client needs and preferences, and both should be discussed on an individualized basis.

Last Thoughts about Extended Sessions

With the diverse needs of each client, extended sessions may be of great benefit for some clients and goals. They may be a great fit for those who want the option to delve into the creative process, struggle to maintain consistency in weekly sessions, have busy schedules, or aren’t seeing enough progress with 50-minute sessions. Talk to your therapist about extended sessions if you feel that they could be a good fit for you!