Life review therapy often runs 6–12 weeks with weekly 45–60-minute sessions; brief rounds can finish in 4–8 meetings based on goals.
Looking at a life story with a trained guide takes time, but the plan is flexible. Most people meet once a week. Many finish in about three months. Some choose a shorter round; others go longer to build a fuller record or to process tough chapters. Below you’ll find realistic schedules, what shapes the pace, and ways to fit the work into a busy week.
What This Approach Involves
Life review is a structured conversation that moves across life stages. Sessions use prompts, photos, letters, and keepsakes to spark memory. The guide listens, asks follow-ups, and helps link themes. The aim is a clear story, balanced emotions, and a sense of meaning. When wanted, the outcome can be a booklet, audio file, or set of letters for loved ones.
How Long Life Review Therapy Usually Takes
Across programs, the common plan is weekly meetings for 6–12 weeks. Sessions last 45–60 minutes in many clinics and 30–45 minutes in group formats. A short plan runs 4–8 visits. A deeper plan can reach 16–20 sessions. The right length depends on goals, comfort, and health.
| Format | Typical Plan | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| Individual, clinic | 12 sessions × 60 min | ~12 hours |
| Group, center | 12 sessions × 45 min | ~9 hours |
| Brief round | 6–8 sessions × 45–60 min | ~5–8 hours |
| Intensive week | 2 sessions/week × 7 weeks | ~10–14 hours |
| Maintenance check-ins | Monthly follow-ups | varies |
What A Session Looks Like
Each meeting opens with a brief mood check and the day’s theme. Early weeks often map childhood, school years, and work. Midway, sessions move through family, turning points, and losses. Later weeks pull threads together and shape a keepsake if that suits the person.
A sample flow: warm-up recall, themed prompts, optional object work, and a short close. Many guides offer a page of prompts or a small task between meetings, such as listing three songs tied to a milestone or labeling old photos. The pace stays gentle. Breaks are fine.
What Shapes The Timeline
Plans bend to fit the person. These factors often shift the clock:
- Goal set: a light round for mood lift runs faster; a legacy project needs more weeks.
- Setting: clinic, rehab, long-term care, or home visits each come with their own rhythm.
- Memory or attention limits: shorter visits may help, which adds extra weeks.
- Group versus one-to-one: group work uses shorter blocks and shared time.
- Family role: adding interviews with relatives adds rich detail and adds time.
- Delivery mode: in-person, phone, or video; switching modes can smooth scheduling.
- Homework pace: scanning photos or writing notes between sessions can stretch timelines.
- Scope: a full lifespan map takes longer than a topic-focused round on work, service, or parenting.
Evidence On Duration And Outcomes
Trials in older adults and memory care settings use a wide range of schedules. Reviews report weekly meetings over about 12 weeks in many programs, with session blocks of 30–60 minutes. Total contact time in studies spans roughly 3–39 hours, and trial lengths range from four weeks to two years. In plain terms, there is no single clock, but mid-length plans around three months are common. See the Cochrane review on reminiscence for typical ranges, including four-week to two-year trials and overall time from about 3 to 39 hours. That spread explains why programs tailor the pace to the person and the setting.
Definitions matter too. “Life review” is more evaluative and theme-based than simple reminiscing. A handy primer is the APA Dictionary entry, which sets out the concept used in research and clinics.
Planning A Schedule That Fits
Starter Plan: Twelve Weeks
This plan suits most people. Meet weekly for 60 minutes. Map life stages in order, store notes in a binder or secure app, and decide near week ten whether to add time for a keepsake.
When You Need A Short Round
Pick six to eight weekly visits. Use a tight set of themes: roots, firsts, work, love, hard times, values, and hopes for the next season. Keep tasks simple and skip big archiving.
When You Want Extra Depth
Plan 16–20 sessions. Add interviews with relatives, dig through photo boxes, and add letters to close people. Build a bound booklet or audio album across the final weeks.
If Time Is Limited
Use two shorter meetings each week across seven weeks. Keep each block to 30–40 minutes with clear openings and closes. This suits rehab stays and hospice calendars.
Milestones And Checkpoints
Setting clear checkpoints keeps the pace steady. Reviewing progress also guards against drift. The table below offers a simple plan many guides use and adapt.
| Week Range | Aim | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | Build trust; outline themes | Agree on goals; gather keepsakes |
| Weeks 3–6 | Move through early to mid-life | Flag gaps to revisit later |
| Weeks 7–10 | Move through later years and turning points | Start shaping a takeaway |
| Weeks 11–12 | Weave themes; finalize product | Share with family if desired |
| Ongoing | Maintenance or reunion session | Brief check-ins each quarter |
Session Length And Time Budget
Here are quick math notes to help you plan. Twelve 60-minute meetings equal about 12 hours of guided time. Add two to four hours for home tasks such as sorting photos or writing a one-page timeline. A brief six-visit round at 45 minutes adds up to 4.5 hours, plus about two hours of light prep if you choose to do it.
Group formats shorten each block yet add energy. A twelve-week group at 45 minutes per session totals nine hours of guided time. Many people also keep a small journal during the run; ten minutes a day across 84 days adds another 14 hours of private work, which can deepen recall and reduce time spent in session on basic facts.
Who It Helps And Typical Use Cases
This work sees wide use with older adults who want to make sense of life chapters, record family stories, or pass on lessons. It also shows up in memory care, rehab stays, and palliative settings. People coping with loss may use it to hold a bond while finding new routines. Adults in midlife use it for career shifts or fresh starts after big changes. Teens can use a trimmed version tied to big milestones and values. Each case sets its own pace and depth.
Many programs allow a care partner at selected sessions. A son or daughter might bring photos and add context. A spouse may help with names or dates. Clear ground rules keep the main voice centered on the reviewer. That balance keeps the pace steady and reduces tangents.
Checklist To Start Fast
- Create a simple timeline with five eras: early years, school, early work, mid-life, later life.
- Gather a dozen items: photos, letters, postcards, medals, ticket stubs, or a favorite recipe card.
- Pick six songs and six places that carry strong memories; jot one-line notes for each.
- Choose a safe place to store files: a locked box, a password-protected folder, or a private cloud drive.
- Decide on an end product: no product, a short letter set, a voice memo album, or a bound booklet.
- Set a pause word to use if topics feel heavy, and plan a brief grounding routine.
Common Pitfalls That Slow The Clock
- Over-collecting. Spending hours scanning every photo can stall the work. Curate a few items per era.
- Unclear goals. Without a target, sessions drift. A one-page plan at week one saves time later.
- Missed sessions. Skipped weeks break momentum. When life gets busy, use a shorter backup block by phone or video.
- Scope creep. Trying to write a full memoir during a short round leads to stress. Park big writing for later.
- Tech snags. Test audio tools in advance and keep chargers handy.
How It Compares To Related Methods
Reminiscence groups. These share memories with prompts such as music or photos. Trials often run 12 weeks with 30–45-minute meetings and show benefits in mood and social engagement. Schedules can stretch or compress based on setting.
Dignity therapy. This is a brief, structured legacy interview widely used near end of life. Many programs finish in two to three sessions plus editing time for a document that can be shared with loved ones.
Tips To Keep Momentum
- Pick a set weekday and time; guard it on the calendar.
- Use a simple theme list so each meeting starts fast.
- Keep a small box for photos, letters, ticket stubs, and awards.
- Record audio with clear consent; a phone mic and quiet room work well.
- Invite a trusted person to one mid-series session if it adds value.
- Pause if emotions spike; use a short grounding routine, then decide whether to continue or reschedule.
- At week ten, decide: wrap at twelve or extend by four to build a keepsake.
Ethical And Practical Notes
Life stories include tender material. Set rules for privacy and storage before you start. Decide who can access audio or documents. Talk through topics that feel off-limits for now. If the work triggers heavy distress, speak with a licensed clinician. This approach pairs well with medical care, grief services, and faith-based help when needed.
Clear Takeaway On Timing
For most people, a weekly plan over 6–12 weeks lands well. Short rounds fit tight windows. Longer runs suit legacy goals. Pick the schedule that fits your energy, health, aims, and needs, and give yourself permission to adjust the plan as you go. If life events interrupt, pause and restart; the story will still wait.