Does Therapy Work?

Does Therapy Work?

Therapy isn’t a light switch, it’s a process. Healing isn’t binary, and the metrics we use to measure success, like readmissions and relapse rates, often paint an incomplete picture. Up to 60% of those with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) will relapse, and 25-30% of mental health and addiction treatment center admissions are readmissions. But does that mean treatment fails? Or does it mean that healing is a process or maybe even more of a lifestyle? 

In behavioral health, therapy, and treatment centers, if you're lucky, you get to create a strategy that includes your passion and allows you to be successful. Often times, however, you have to pick one. The population or modality you are most passionate about might not

be the best for the market conditions or the strategic plan for your organization. Some individuals will always need ongoing care (e.g, chronic or SMI (severely mentally ill)) and organizations must determine whether their model supports who needs treatment the most or adjust to serve those that can meet the goals of the organization. This isn’t just about services—it’s about the right fit for sustainable outcomes.

One of the biggest drivers of relapse is discontinuing the very habits that helped someone get well. We are creatures of habit, and without reinforcement, old patterns return. Research shows that stays under 90 days lead to higher relapse rates, underscoring the need for structured, long-term support. Therapy isn’t about eliminating struggle, it’s about creating a framework for growth so that when life happens, individuals have the tools to adjust.

Clinicians and executives alike must redefine success. The fact that people return to treatment isn’t failure, it’s proof that they recognize the value of support. The real measure of impact isn’t just whether someone never struggles again, but whether they know where to turn when they do. Behavioral health is both mission-driven and business-driven, and the key is ensuring that the people we serve are aligned with the care we are built to provide. 

So is it that simple? Do clinicians feel like even though their patient's relapse, readmit or decompensate, that the support is working? How do clinicians measure the effectiveness of their contribution beyond the metrics? 

Lance Folske MA, MFT