A Therapist’s “Hour”
This idea is sometimes confusing when a client first hears it. Typically, a therapy “hour” is 50 minutes. Depending on if you use your insurance, it could be 45 minutes (strictly on that too - and the session better align with your goals discussed at the last treatment plan! *Insert eye roll at insurance company requirements here)
Usually, with my clients, 50 minutes flies by.
But what happens if you are not there for your 50-minute session? What does a therapist really do?
I will give you some inside scoop on that here.
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Client is scheduled for a 9:00am session.
8:47am: Wow it feels like I have not seen this client is awhile. Ok, so two weeks ago I remember they were struggling with ____ and I wanted to recognize a certain pattern. Hmm…they are usually here by now though. Maybe I should run to the bathroom really quick. Or eat a protein bar, because I am not sure I will be able to on my next break.
8:59am: I hope they are on their way. It is not typical for them to be running late. I guess I could look at my CEUs or check emails. Make sure I am caught up on notes.
9:07am: Should I text them? Call? Well, doctor/dentist offices don’t do that. Physical therapists don’t either. I don’t want to call…that is basically knocking on someone’s front door asking what they are doing and why they aren’t here. I would not expect my therapist to do that for me. But I really don’t want to charge them a fee. But I run a business. I also could have filled this slot with 2 other people who requested a session this week. Maybe I should lower my no-show fee. Wait, why should I do that. I really don’t want to have this conversation about their appointment; I don’t want to piss anyone off.
9:17am: Dang. I texted them anyways. They forgot. They asked if I really need to charge them because they overslept. I really hate this conversation, but it was in my policy and consent forms. I set my reminder messages up, right? Wait, we also confirmed this time at the last appointment. Why do I feel bad? I hope they come back. I really wanted to ask them how they felt about that last session.
9:36am: Ok, I asked a few colleagues about it because I felt bad. They all agree it’s such a hard spot, but it was in the consent forms. Ugh this is always so tough. Ok, shake it off for now. I need to document this conversation in my notes and get ready for my next session.
9:57am: Shoot, got distracted consulting with someone about another situation. Shoot, I need to run to the bathroom. My next client is here. They are coughing in the waiting room though, I hope they aren’t too sick. I have a kiddo with asthma at home who already has his own little cold. Should I crack a window? I don’t want them to feel awkward or uncomfortable though. Maybe increase the air purifier? But would that noise bother them? I don’t want to distract them when I follow up on that one thing from last month.
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Kind of a doozy, huh?
And what do we do when you are present? Hopefully you trust your therapist enough to agree that we are emotionally, physically, and mentally present with you for the entirety of the time you are in session. Because, truly, that is what you deserve.
And if your therapist is anything like me, I am continuing to process our session after it ends.
Because, as my other blog post states, your therapist thinks of you.
Need more info on what to expect from therapy and how the hour is used? Check out these posts:
Reach out, I am ready to hold space for you.
