2025 Stroll Award Winner
Voted the Best Counseling Practice in Park Ridge, IL
2025 Stroll Award Winner
Voted the Best Counseling Practice in Park Ridge, IL

If you’ve ever sat in a therapy session wondering, “Is this even working?” — you’re not alone. It’s a common question, and it makes total sense. Therapy is an investment of your time, energy, emotions, and often money. Naturally, you want to know if it’s paying off.
The tricky part? Progress in therapy doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. Learn more about signs of progress in therapy, and how it may be different than what you think.
Let’s start by clearing up some myths. Progress in therapy is not always:
In fact, sometimes you’ll leave a session feeling a little drained, emotional, or unsure — and that can still be a sign that something important is shifting.
Progress is often subtle and builds over time. Here are some signs you’re moving in the right direction, even if it doesn’t feel dramatic:
Also, let’s not forget: just showing up consistently, even when you don’t feel like it, is progress.
It’s totally normal to hit a plateau in therapy or to wonder if things are moving fast enough. If that’s how you’re feeling, bring it up in your session! Therapists want your feedback — it helps shape the work you’re doing together.
Try asking:
Good therapy is collaborative. If something’s not working, your therapist should be open to adjusting the approach or exploring new strategies.
Here’s the thing: sometimes, things feel harder before they feel better. As you dig deeper, you might uncover emotions you’ve been avoiding or revisit painful memories. That discomfort doesn’t mean you’re going backward — it may actually mean you’re finally facing what needs attention.
Healing isn’t linear. Growth takes time. And therapy is a process, not a quick fix. If you’re questioning whether you’re making progress in therapy, that’s not a bad sign — it means you care. You’re engaged. And that alone is a powerful indicator that you’re on the right path. Keep showing up. Keep asking questions. And trust that even small shifts can lead to big change over time.
The mental health professionals at Athans and Associates are here to help you make progress in your personal goals. Reach out today if you’re interested in scheduling a session.
About the Author
Courtney Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Athans & Associates. She works with children and adults, and has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from DePaul University.





Contact Athans and Associates today at (847) 823-4444 for more information about any of our counseling services.