Doesn't a therapist have a financial disincentive for me to get better and no longer need their services?

Answer 1

Being a mental health professional I can tell you I used to ask myself that before I went into the field. But if you knew the kind of high demand there is for most established mental health professionals' services that would convince you that the therapist's drive to keep a patient for financial reasons is more of an illusion or fantasy of the patient or, at worst, the result of misinformation or erroneous assumptions. Any good mental health professional has been trained to urge patients to stay in treatment as it's commonly the case that many patients want to leave treatment too early, unconsciously seeking to avoid discussing certain painful issues.

Answer 2

No more than a doctor would have a financial disincentive for you to get better, for the same reason. The whole purpose of their job is to treat an affliction or condition; the fact that a therapist has to go about it through a long process is what often makes people feel like they're drawing it out. I suppose some therapists do indeed string you along, but they're not good therapists -- a real therapist wants to help you, and if you've gotten past whatever mental hurdle that was holding you up, that's a triumph for both you and the therapist.

If you have been seeing a therapist and you haven't even discussed the issues around your problem or complaint in about ten to fifteen visits, or if after several months you don't even know where they're going with it, ask them what they think of your progress and what else they think they may do for you. If you're not satisfied with their answer, you can tell them you're not sure you're getting anywhere and would like to seek another therapist. They probably won't like it, but each therapist has a different style and a different approach to their field, and maybe it just doesn't fit with you.

Answer 3

The psychologists job is to help you get better. Remember it is the patient's choice to get better, not the therapists (although a few therapists can do more harm than good). If someone is feeling better and doing well, they can terminate treatment. There's no reason to keep a person in therapy if they don't need it. Plus, would you come back to a psychologist if your major problems were resolved?

In theory, as business people, they would want the same people to come back. However, look at society. Once one patient is discharged, there will always be another to take his/her place.

Answer 4

Most mental health services are now covered by health plans so there's no incentive or disincentive (unless the client pays cash for all their mental health care).

As with other forms of therapy (like physical therapy for a twisted ankle) mental health practitioners participating in health plans get a set amount of money per client visit and a limited number of visits per year unless other arrangements are made. My health plan covers 4 visits per year to mental health therapy sessions - whether I feel better or not.

This is one of the reasons that many doctors are pushing pills for mental health. . . there aren't enough resources for psychological health any more.

Answer 5

Not really, if you are seeing a therapist who is depending on you for income than they probably aren't that good to begin with. Most therapists have a steady income of patients and new patients that they don't really depend on an individual client. And they aren't usually thinking "gee, if I keep him/her here another 4 visits I can finally get that really nice Catamaran."

Answer 6

Financially, no.
But reputation wise? Definitely.

It's no use if he can retain your services if a whole lot of others realise you've been going to him for years and still aren't better yet. This translates to bad business sense, cause he's missing out on a whole lot of potential business opportunities that steered well clear of him.

Answer 7

No that's your job.

Answer 8

if they are ethical they should