01/15/2026
“How long will we be seeing each other?”
This is one of the most common questions we hear when we first meet with clients. It is also a very fair question.
The short answer is: it depends.
There are many things that go into how long therapy lasts. As a medical speech-language pathologist, we look at much more than a diagnosis or a set number of visits. Therapy works best when the client is at the center of the plan.
What affects how long therapy lasts?
Each therapy plan at Iowa Speech Solutions is personalized. Some of the factors we consider include:
• What we are working on, such as speech, language, memory, voice, or swallowing
• How severe the difficulty is
• Whether the condition is short-term, long-term, or changing over time
• Your personal goals and what progress means to you
• Your overall health, energy level, and daily responsibilities
• The support you have from family or caregivers
• Your motivation and participation
• How often you are able to practice at home
Because of these factors, it is hard to predict an exact timeline. There is no crystal ball, but there is a clear plan that we review and adjust as needed.
What we focus on from the start
• Therapy is not the same for everyone
• Goals should be meaningful and useful in daily life
• Plans can change as your needs change
• Discharge is often a sign of progress or readiness for the next step
Tips to help therapy be successful
These ideas apply to many types of therapy:
• Be open about what feels hard or overwhelming
• Ask questions if something does not make sense
• Practice regularly, even for short periods
• Build therapy into your daily routine
• Include family or support people when possible
• Share changes in health, energy, or stress
• Notice and celebrate small improvements
• Understand that progress may have ups and downs
Therapy is a team effort. Our role as the therapist is to guide, teach, and adjust the plan. Your role as the client is to share your goals and do what you can within your daily life.
