My therapist makes me wait 15+ minutes before every session.

[Kire]

Our first session, about a month ago now, her office door was locked. I called her crying because dammit I need to see her. She said that she is often a few minutes late. But now I've seen her four times, and she's been way late every time.

I get there at 11 like she asked me to, but she doesn't open her door until 11:15 at least, sometimes as late as 11:30.

When she ended last session I told her it felt like I just got here. She laughed and said I was a "character" and thought it was cute, apparently. I honestly don't know exactly what time it started because she was so late, so I had to take her word for it. She even admitted that we had five minutes to go before the 45 minutes were up, and that's the time she usually takes to arrange the next appointment.

I worked with a Psychoanalyst before, and according to "the rules" at the school I attended, sessions are supposed to be 50 minutes. Does anybody know what an Ed. S. is? It is supposedly between a Masters and a Doctorate. She's a specialist in "Family Systems Therapy". I looked it up in Google, but didn't find much. Anybody heard of that? Apparently she wants to do a genogram, but we never even come close to getting around to it. She comes very highly recommended, and appears to be thriving in her office with her other patients.

The first day I came in there telling her that I was very sensitive to even the slightest injustice. And she told me that we are going to have to work on how I can stop being "the victim". She tells me that several times every session. That I have to stop being "the victim". That I can't give people all the power over me. At the same time, I can't be a superhero. Actions speak louder than words, IMO. I'm so pissed off at everything for the past two days.

I'm going to give her a piece of my mind next week.

[Digit]

1. My last session was years ago.

I was waiting and waiting, he was running late with another patient. I had no insurance, so this was out of my pocket.
I finally was called in and looked at my watch to note the time. After 5 minutes, he said time was up. I pointed at my watch and told him it had only been 5 minutes. He said it had been 15 and this was what a 30 minute office visit was based on. He continued to argue with me and I never went back.
This hurt more than if insurance was paying for it since it was OUT OF MY POCKET.
I also complained to the receptionist and cancelled all future visits.

[Sgent]

2. The CPT Manual

The CPT Manual (which lists billing codes, etc), requires a 45-50 minutes session, so 45 minutes fits into the rules. Any less than that, and she should be billing you for a half hour. Start and stop times should be in her chart.

All of the above of course assumes she is billing insurace, if not, then its a personal decision on your part.

As for the Ed. S, I'm not familar with that degree in the slightest (and I know most of them). Guessing, it looks like its a degree in educational psychology. The schools I'm familiar with provide an EED to those students who complete the coursework and dissertation, but they don't have to learn a foriegn language. Regardless, as her for her stat license -- that will tell you everything.

If licensed as a clinical psychologist, then don't worry about the degree. If licensed as an educational psychologist, then there might be problems unless you are seeing her for learning disabilities, etc. If licensed as a Professional Counselor or Clinical Social Worker, these are master's degree licenses, but they can provide excellent therapy.

[rox63]

3. Mine used to make me wait too

But she said that she needed about 10-15 minutes between sessions to update charts, return phone messages, etc. That sounded reasonable to me.

[Kashka-Kat]

4. I think its reasonable to ask

what's up with the long waits, does she need more time in between clients in which case you could come 15 minutes later.

[Kashka-Kat]

5. PS

The extra 10-15 minutes for note writing generally comes after your session not before it! FWIW, on the rare occasion my therapist has been later than 5 min or so shes come out to say she's running late and to give an estimate of how much more waiting time. Common courtesy I would think! It may be different w/ a psychiatrist/MD tho.......

[TrogL]

6. Shrinks run late - get over it

I've never had a shrink appointment start on time.

[Kire]

7. ah, the old adage

"suck it up"

[EFerrari]

8. I would have a problem with what looks like

passive aggressive bullsh@t. She's late, and tells you
to stop being a victim?!

lol

Kire, do you want me to tell you my "I fired L.A. County" story again?

There's some really wonderful therapists out there. Treat yourself :hi: