What does a long-term goal in therapy refer to?

A long-term goal in therapy represents the ultimate desired outcome that is expected to be achieved after an extended duration of intervention. This type of goal typically reflects comprehensive changes in a client's functioning or wellbeing that require more time and sustained effort to realize. It serves as a guiding vision for the therapeutic process and informs the planning of both short-term objectives and specific interventions.

In the context of therapy, long-term goals are crucial because they help to establish a broad framework for the therapeutic relationship and treatment process. They focus on significant behavioral or emotional changes and involve ongoing assessments to measure progress over time. Achieving such goals often encompasses multiple steps, skills, and small victories along the way.

This definition contrasts sharply with the other options, which either emphasize rapid achievement or focus on limited time frames and specific targets. Short-term objectives and measurable targets are important components of the therapeutic process, but they support the larger context of long-term goals rather than define them.