Why Quick Fixes Fail—and the Secret to Lasting Change

Let’s define examples of quick fixes: Going to your primary doctor (they typically only treat symptoms temporarily), Binge eating, Scrolling through the phone or excessive TV/gaming, venting to friends, staying busy and distracting yourself, medications, and taking Tylenol for headaches or body aches.

Let’s talk about long-term fixes (AKA preventatives): Therapy, coaching, breath work, somatic exercises, acupuncture, and more. While Chinese medicine and therapy are now becoming more mainstream, what I’m finding is that coaching is not, due to the stereotypical (and unvetted process) implications of what it offers. But there are many types of coaching, and I want to open your mind to the importance of therapeutic coaching in this article, and what it offers.

Investing in long-term support for therapeutic coaching is important because lasting change rarely happens from a single session or short burst of motivation—it happens through consistent guidance, reinforcement, and adaptation over time.

Here’s why long-term support matters:

1. Deep, Lasting Change Takes Time

   • Behavior patterns—especially those tied to health, stress, or emotional regulation—are often decades in the making. A long-term coach-client relationship allows for gradual rewiring of habits, not quick fixes that fade.

2. Accountability Over the Long Haul

   • Willpower fluctuates, but having someone who knows your journey keeps you on track during dips in motivation and life’s curveballs.

3. Personalized Strategies That Evolve

   • Your needs, stressors, and environment change over time. A long-term coach can adapt your plan so it stays effective and relevant instead of becoming stale.

4. Skill Building & Integration

   • You don’t just learn what to do—you practice how to do it until it becomes second nature. This might mean communication skills, self-regulation tools, or problem-solving approaches that stick for life.

5. Relapse Prevention

   • Without continued guidance, old habits can resurface under stress. Long-term coaching provides a safety net, helping you catch slips early and pivot before they undo your progress.

6. Emotional Resilience & Confidence

   • Change isn’t just about action—it’s about mindset. Ongoing support reinforces your belief in your ability to succeed, even when setbacks happen.

Therapeutic coaching isn’t about “needing someone forever”—it’s about creating enough time and guidance for you to become self-sufficient, resilient, and confident in the changes you’ve made.