It died with the advent of Managed Care.

Therapists get what are called CPT codes which are codes from managed care companies (in behavioral health companies like Magellan, MHNet, etc.) that determine how many session you get (and how long each session is in terms of 15 minute intervals) in a given period of time. Once that time has expired or the number of sessions is up, a therapist MUST re-justify to a managed care company why it is you need more sessions. It is THEN up to the managed care company to look at their obligation under your policy; your medical history; your diagnosis; etc, etc, etc. and decide whether or not to authorize additional sessions.

If the managed care company says NO, then it's between you and them to work it out. Or you, them, and Stopdog.

Treat your sessions as PRECIOUS (if you live in the USA). The number you get for any given policy are largely NOT within the control of your therapist but your insurance provider.

"It takes as long as it takes" is a myth of the psychoanalytic age. Those days are GONE.

Therapy today is SOLUTION FOCUSED, not problem. If you're not looking for ways to deal then you're probably not a good candidate and wasting your time and the medical industry's limited resources.

"It takes as long as it takes," does exists. It's called "self-paying clients." If it's your nickle, feel free to take forever. The INSURANCE INDUSTRY won't mind.