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#1
Apr 26, 2010, 09:39 PM
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I feel a bit uncomfortable asking this question but here it goes
 :Why would a therapist cut a session short? I know this sounds like a broad question but this is the scenario. At my last session I had an uncomfortable conversation about transferance. Everything is OK and I felt better about my feelings after talking about it. What happend that bothers me is that my session was cut short by 15mins. My sessions have always been an hour. When leaving the room there was another client in the waiting room. Not sure if she wanted some time for herself between appts or if she was anxious to meet the next appt. She seemed fine during the session other than cutting it short ( I noticed it ran short after I got in my car and checked the time). Any thoughts? Should I bring this up at my next session or just forget about it? - I hate confrontation. |
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#2
Apr 26, 2010, 10:23 PM
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Generally, an appointment is NOT an hour long. It's usually 45-50 minutes depending on the therapist so they have a break time to regroup between clients.
So if this is a new thing your therapist is doing, I'd say you were quite fortunate. Is there usually another client in the waiting room after your session(s)? 
__________________
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#3
Apr 26, 2010, 10:34 PM
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My guess is that she typically intends to make your sessions the standard 45-50 minutes, but often lets you run over. This time perhaps she ended on time.
I know it is tempting to let your mind run wild (e.g., she ended early because she doesn't like me...etc.) but resist the urge. Definitely do mask her about how long your sessions are supposed to be though. Best, Emily |
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#4
Apr 26, 2010, 10:50 PM
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Thank you for your responses. Typically there isn't another person in the waiting room so you are probably right about the time and I've been lucky
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#5
Apr 26, 2010, 11:37 PM
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Just wanted to add that I saw a therapist for a bit whose sessions were an hour long each, and I was told they would be when I first started seeing her. She had no break in between clients...and I am not saying that this is the BEST way to have it set up, as she was often running late and was a bit frantic (I was ok with this, I loved her anyway
 ), but just wanted to mention it. Do definitely ask your T about it, though...it's a shame it happened during the session where you were discussing your transference. Speaking from experience, I know you probably needed all the time you could get!
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#6
Apr 26, 2010, 11:50 PM
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My sessions are usually pretty consistently 50-55 minutes long. He takes a break and writes session notes in between clients. We've occasionally cut a session short because we just gotten to a natural stopping place a few minutes early.
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#7
Apr 27, 2010, 12:20 AM
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Since it was unusual to have a session of only 45 minutes, I think it is good to discuss it. Any departure from the typical session will make the client wonder what's going on. I don't think you need to confront her about it--just talk about it.
My sessions now are supposed to be 80 minutes long. What each client works out with her/his therapist is different.
__________________
"Therapists are experts at developing therapeutic relationships." |
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#8
Apr 27, 2010, 04:27 AM
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i see austin-t for a full hour, but oftentimes we might run over 5-10mins. i would definitely wonder had happened if it got cut short to 45min. ask your T about it, it'll set your mind at ease.
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#9
Apr 27, 2010, 09:00 PM
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Thank you all for your input! My next appt. is in a couple weeks and will mention it then. Thanks for listening.
It's great to be able to post questions like this anonymously.
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#10
Apr 27, 2010, 09:10 PM
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My sessions are always 55-60 minutes, so I wouldn't say that therapy sessions are "always" or "supposed" to be anything...every T is different.
If your T has always gone an hour, then ending after 45 minutes is unusual and worth discussing. Did it feel like you ended at a good stopping point? Or did it feel like you were cut short? |
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#11
Apr 27, 2010, 09:27 PM
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Quote:
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#12
Apr 28, 2010, 07:17 AM
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My T gives 60 minutes always.
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#13
May 10, 2010, 02:50 PM
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Update:
I had a great session today as it was the most productive I've been in starting to figure out who I am. However I chickened out on asking about the length of my last session. The good news is today my session was like I've always experienced -1 hour.
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#14
May 10, 2010, 02:54 PM
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>>>>>I had a great session today as it was the most productive I've been in starting to figure out who I am.
Beautiful!!! 
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This is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.|
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