How Long Does It Take to Get Over a Breakup? Insights from Dr. Harel Papikian

Breakups are not just about ending a relationship. They mark the close of shared routines, private jokes, future dreams, and emotional safety. For some, it feels like a sharp tear. For others, it is a slow and painful unraveling. But the one question that often lingers afterward is: When will I feel normal again?

The truth is, there is no universal timeline for healing. Getting over a breakup depends on many factors, including the depth of the bond, the length of the relationship, and your individual emotional process. With the right mindset, guided support, and self-awareness, it is possible to heal fully and regain emotional balance.

Dr. Harel Papikian, a licensed psychologist based in West Hollywood, brings a grounded, realistic perspective to breakup recovery. His approach is practical and structured. He uses a method he developed called ARM, which stands for Awareness, Release, and Mastery. Through this approach, he helps individuals move through heartbreak step by step, without judgment or pressure.

Why Do Breakups Hurt So Much?

The pain of a breakup is not only emotional. It can be biological, psychological, and even existential. Human brains are wired for connection and attachment. When a significant relationship ends, the loss activates stress hormones and triggers withdrawal-like symptoms. This can include sleeplessness, anxiety, loss of appetite, and obsessive thoughts.

You are not just mourning a person. You are grieving the version of your life that you shared with them. If you lived together, your home suddenly feels quieter. If you shared routines, your day feels incomplete. These emotional voids are a natural part of the grieving process.

So, How Long Does It Take to Get Over a Breakup?

While there is no fixed timeline, studies show that healing from a breakup often takes three to six months for shorter relationships. For long-term relationships, especially those involving shared living or children, it can take one to two years to feel fully restored.

However, healing is not a straight line. Some days will feel lighter. Others will feel like setbacks. That is normal. What matters is consistent movement toward clarity and self-connection.

Dr. Harel often reminds his clients that it is not about how fast you move, but how deeply you process. Some individuals suppress their pain and appear to move on quickly, only to revisit the grief later. Others take time to reflect and rebuild, and emerge with a stronger sense of self.

What Factors Influence Recovery Time?

Several elements can affect how long it takes to move on from a breakup:

• The emotional intensity of the relationship
• Whether the breakup was mutual or one-sided
• Support systems, including friends and family
• Personal history with loss and attachment
• Whether there was betrayal, abuse, or unresolved conflict

Those who have access to structured therapy, like Dr. Harel’s ARM-based sessions, often report feeling more in control of their recovery. Understanding your emotional landscape and having a plan makes the journey feel less chaotic.

Real Life in Los Angeles: A Common Scenario

Imagine a couple living together in Los Angeles. They shared everything from hiking trails in Griffith Park to Sunday markets in Silver Lake. When the relationship ends, one partner moves out. Suddenly, familiar neighborhoods, routines, and shared favorite spots become emotional triggers.

This is a common experience for many living in a vibrant, memory-filled city like Los Angeles. Healing in such an environment requires not just emotional processing, but also creating new experiences. This is where online therapy becomes especially helpful. It offers a consistent, private space for reflection no matter where you are in the city.

The Role of Online Therapy

Dr. Harel offers virtual sessions for individuals and couples across Los Angeles and beyond. His online format is flexible and secure, making it easier for clients to show up consistently. Whether you are dealing with the first raw weeks after a breakup or reflecting on patterns from past relationships, online therapy provides steady support without requiring a commute or additional stress.

Clients often share that being able to process emotions in the comfort of their own home feels more personal. It allows them to bring their real selves into the session. There is no pressure to present as “put together.” The focus is on honesty and healing.

Rebuilding Your Identity Post-Breakup

One of the hardest parts of a breakup is rebuilding your sense of self. When you have shared a deep emotional bond, your identity naturally intertwines with the other person. You begin to define yourself as part of a “we.” Letting go of that identity is painful, but also necessary.

Dr. Harel works with clients to explore questions such as:

• Who am I outside this relationship?
• What patterns do I want to avoid repeating?
• What do I need to feel emotionally safe moving forward?

These questions are not meant to be answered overnight. But reflecting on them regularly helps you reconnect with your personal values and needs.

Signs That You Are Healing

It can be hard to know when you are truly moving on. According to Dr. Harel, some subtle signs of healing include:

• Feeling less emotional charge when thinking about your ex
• Rebuilding routines that feel comforting and self-driven
• Making plans for the future that are not shaped by your past relationship
• Experiencing joy or contentment in small moments

Healing does not mean you forget the person or pretend the relationship never mattered. It means you can remember without losing yourself.

Final Thoughts

There is no exact formula for healing after a breakup. But with the right tools, reflection, and steady support, it becomes a process of rediscovery rather than just recovery.

Dr. Harel Papikian’s approach, centered on Awareness, Release, and Mastery, offers a gentle yet structured path forward. If you are navigating the pain of a breakup and want a thoughtful, nonjudgmental space to process, his online therapy services provide just that.

You do not have to rush healing. You only have to be willing to begin.

To learn more or explore individual therapy from the comfort of your home, you can connect with Dr. Harel Papikian and begin at your own pace.