Different therapists use different techniques. Some are more effective than others. A lot depends on you, and how willing you are to work on things. And how many problems you have to work through. Christina86 is right--very hard to tell you, about time. Going through old painful stuff is hard, but it usually gives you a much better perspective about yourself and releases some old hurts and angers and generally makes you feel better after you've gone through it. The first therapist I went to, I saw for about a year and a half. Went for couples counseling to see if we could save my first marriage. The therapist had us go separately and we never did get together--ending up divorcing, which was the best for me. I had put that husband through 1 year of college and 3 of law school and then supported him after that. When we were almost finished with the divorce, I discovered he had been cheating on me the whole time we were married. So I was well rid of him.

The therapist I saw then told me that I had a chance to be truly happy, if I continued with the therapy and worked through all my old issues. It really did make a difference in my life I think. I still get depressed, as I have the genetic predisposition. But I am highly functional and do pretty well with most things in life.

Good luck to you!