Sessions short of 50 minutes?

Would this bother you?

My T times our sessions, which are via phone. One of them was 5 minutes short of 50 (I didn’t notice at the time)...is it unreasonable to be concerned about this?

I am paying for 50 minute sessions and over time those minutes will add up.

Are you certain they're supposed to be 50? Just asking, because I know some therapists do 45-minute sessions. If it's definitely supposed to be 50, I'd say something. And it would bother me.

I tend to cut my T a lot of slack but he is very generous with his time outside of session (phone/email). I have zero tolerance for double standards.

Billing codes allow for a range of minutes. Probably within the billing limits.

Seconding what Artley and LT said. 45 minute and 50 minute sessions use the same billing code if she's billing your insurance. So she's not cheating you financially unless you're paying 100% out of pocket AND you both agreed to 50 minute sessions. Some therapists do 45 minute sessions - I know at least one at the clinic where mine works does, although mine does 50 minutes.

I also think you might want to reconsider how you think about the whole adding up all the minutes you didn't get. Does she ever give you an extra minute or two? Mine never goes over into other clients' time, but we often go up to 55 minutes. By your logic, that means I should be adding up all those 1-5 extra minutes and pay her extra because they "add up over time." That seems somewhat out of proportion to the effort it takes for her to spend a minute or five extra per session versus the benefit she would gain if I paid her for the added up extra time whenever it added up to a 50 minute chunk. I say this based on when I was a dog walker. I charged in 15 minute increments and I would usually go a bit over. I did not look at this as something that would add up over time and take money away from me - that seems a bit like nickel and diming and not worth the effort.

That said, if you are feeling like she's cutting you off AND the agreement was definitely for 50 minute sessions, it is completely reasonable to bring it up. And even if it turns out she does 45 minute sessions, it's also ok if you prefer 50 or 60 minute sessions. You can always seek a different therapist who meets those requirements.

My sessions are sometimes 5-10 minutes shorter and sometimes 5-10 minutes over. It would bother me to have my sessions be too short every time, but if it was just a one time thing (or like with me, from time to time when there's not much to talk about), I don't really think about it too much.

My regular T always gives me an hour, even if she is late which is common, she makes up the time. But I know that isn't standard. Most of the time the therapy hour is 45 minutes or 50 minutes. Pastor T it was more like 35 minutes but I wasn't paying him, and I didn't really have more to talk about so it didn't bother me. Former T was very much like Regular T. A T I saw 4 times ended at 45 minutes on the dot. And my first T when I was young, I have no idea.

Among other problems, video sessions have altered the length of our sessions. Where they were always 50 mins long they now often fall as short as 30 mins.

That would really bother me, it’s important to me to get the full session. Part of me feels also that only doing 50 minute sessions rather than hour sessions is mean anyway. I would say something to my T, particularly as something I’m working on in therapy is speaking my thoughts and feelings.

Yes it would. I'm always conscious of how much time I've had in sessions. Luckily my current T runs to an hour and often slightly longer but all my other T's offered 50 minute sessions and they never felt long enough, never mind if they were shorter. My first T occasionally had me in a few minutes late but then finished at the usual time so we had 45 or 46 minutes and it always upset me. I could never tell her though. If you're paying for 50 minute sessions or your insurance covers that long you have a right to mention it (although not sure if I'd be brave enough).

Personally this would bother me. I think like most things it would be useful for you to raise it and talk it over?

I disagree with some of the posts on here because I think a couple mins here and there isn't just about it accumulating but it's also about the respect for your time. I think if the session ended naturally five mins before hand or you wrapped up a couple of mins before hand then that is one thing but 5 mins isn't a couple of mins and 5 mins consecutively is another thing.

I had one T that would end the session and after I paid and left the building I often still had two mins to spare it kinda pissed me off a bit to be honest because it felt like I was rushed. Especially since we never went over and I often dissociated. My current T and the one I had before that one were very generous with their time like very flexible and personally I think that's what I need in a T to feel comfortable. I need to feel like I am not just paying for a service or getting short changed. It helps me with the rapport. I don't know if that's a fair expectation and I know boundaries are important but if that's what a client needs??

That would bother me a lot. My sessions with old T used to be two hours. This T our sessions are usually (when we are in different countries) about four hours on the phone. When she and i are in the same county, like now, we have all day sessions once a week. I have DID and so there is a huge need for lots of young alters to talk. t and i often remark how fast the time goes because it really doesnt seem like 7-8–9 hours. (Yes, she is rather unconventional.) We do not talk trauma the whole time. We take breaks to get something to eat or go for a walk or talk about something fun. I dont know how anyone manages to make progress on 45 or 50 minutes a week. You are very brave. I would not be able to function with short sessions. I admire those of you who can do that.

I suggest you ask the therapist to give you your fifty minutes, if you're feeling shortchanged. My sessions vary a bit, but as long as I've had my say at the time, I'm okay with it.

If I remember correctly your husband is a T. What does he think of your relationship with your T? Are you and T in the same country long term now? Is she seeing any other clients? How does she bill for all day sessions? Totally not asking our of judgement but out of curiosity.

He is fine with it. He understands that therapeutic relationship. And he has seen how much I have gotten better in the years of working with this therapist. We are in the same country just for a few months this year. It is rare for that to happen. I am the only person she talks to on a weekly basis, i believe. She has other people she talks to once a month i believe. She has many people she consults with however. I am able to afford all day sessions as i am quite blessed. Thank you for not judging. She is not my friend, but she is very friendly. We enjoy each others company,

Sessions are usually about 45-50 minutes with the client. The remaining time in the hour is for final note taking. So you're paying for the hour. Part of it is being used behind the scenes.

I wouldn't feel comfortable if my therapist was writing notes throughout our sessions. So, they can reserve that for the end so they can focus on their clients during their time.

T frequently is a minute or 2 late starting with me. late starting with me. Normally she sees the person before me until 5 minutes before then she takes a couple of minutes to enter a few notes in the computer, then she uses the restroom. However we normally go 10-20 minutes late.