Last week i went to a psychologist, took a 15 minute session, and he waqs not helpful, ....read?

Question

he asked me a few basic questions abt myself, and then later on he said that if i feel the need to talk ore, i can update to a 30 mins meeting

but the thing is since he was not helpful,

i am not sure, if i should go for the appointment that i had fixed with him

i was thinking that i can just talk 2 my friends abt the stuff i told him about.... cause it was almost one and the same thing

how do u think he can help? do u think i should go??
is it a waste of money?? what should i do?

he is a counselor,

its abt general life stuff related to my past

Answer 1

15 minutes does seem awfully cursory; but in fairness to this person, maybe he sets up a "let's just meet first" kind of session to see if you feel comfortable with him and to get a reading on why you are looking for a counselor. If that's the case, though, he should have explained that clearly to you so you wouldn't have expected much more than an introduction.

Whether you should go depends on what you're looking for. Are you looking just to talk and unload a bunch of burdens, or are you looking for someone to put some perspective on your situation and offer some tips or ideas about making changes in either you situation or your thinking?

If you originally set up the appointment because you just wanted to talk then maybe you're right about your friends. If, on the other hand, you're hoping to find some guidance and perspective, then you need to tell a counselor that's what you're looking for.

In fairness to this person, you aren't going to think someone has done much to be helpful in just a few visits. At the same time, the person you decide to see should be someone you feel comfortable with and no someone who seems on a different wavelength.

One point about the friends: No matter how understanding or even wise they may be, your situation may be something that really does require someone trained. For example, if you've got abuse issues from the past or some other serious thing a trained professional is more likely to really be able to help. If you're just all stressed out about whether to quit a job or not or some other "run of the mill" issues then maybe a counselor isn't what you need.

Maybe you need to ask if your problems are within yourself and/or out of your past or if they involved things in your life but outside of yourself or whether they involve all of the above.

If your issues/concerns are serious ones maybe you should give this person another chance, but also tell him what you're hoping to accomplish or what you hope he'll be able to offer in terms of help (guidance? tips on coping? names of agencies that may be useful to you?)

You may also need to consider whether you could have clinical depression or some other mental health condition that requires a psychiatrist rather than a counselor.

Answer 2

Everything is an art form. I don't care if a person is a janitor, a stockbroker or a psychologist. Some people shine in their area of work and others may have all the training in the world and can't do their job worth a crap.
First of all, 15 minutes is usually what a psychiatrist sees a person for after a detailed assessment, just to determine how meds are being tolerated and to determine their efficacy.
Therapy in 15 minutes probably isn't helpful at all and I haven't heard of "counselors" that are worth anything that see someone for 15 minutes and then say they can up the session to 30 minutes. If you don't feel comfortable with your therapist it is a bad fit. Sure friends can help and so can a good therapist that likes their job and is skilled at it.
I'd say don't waste the money on the current counselor. See someone else and keep trying out people until you find a fit. Ask for their credentials. There are lots of "counselors" out there who are not what they present themselves to be.
Someone doesn't need to be a graduate of a prestigious university either to have common sense and skill. Lots of letters after a name don't necessarily mean much. Some people go to a few workshops here and there and tack on new initials.
If you have Women's issues you can contact a women's center for referrals to counselors/therapists etc. It might help streamline your search.

Answer 3

If it's not a friend or anything, tell him that you don't think it'd be appropriate for an update, since if you didn't get anything within 15 minutes, and will get twice as much within half an hour, there's really no point in doing that. This is not the place where people tell you what to do, but I personally wouldn't go there the second time. Instead, I'd do some research on the internet first regarding the issue, talk to friends like you're planning to do, and also ask them if they know a GOOD psychologist. Or you can talk to me for half an hour and pay me the same money. I promise, you won't get anything less than you will with psychologist. (that last one was a joke)

Answer 4

Since I don't know your problem, I could hardly suggest that you simply talk with your "friends." Obviously, this is NOT the psychologist for you (or perhaps anyone). Have you ever heard of the "50 minute hour?" That is the norm for both psychiatrists & psychologists. It is totally impossible to get anywhere in 15 minutes, & not even 30. I knew a young woman, (when I was in practice), who had seen 5 psychiatrists. They did absolutely nothing for her, simply sat staring & scribbling on a notepad. They are quite another "genre." A good psychologist will talk WITH you, ask questions that will help you to find the answers in yourself, & take a very personal interest in who you are. "If [you] feel you want to talk more..." This is ludicrous. No, I would not make another appointment, simply based on what you've expressed. A waste of your time, as well as money, & possibly even greater frustration. There are splendid psychologists out there, but you do need one who relates to you as the person that you are. A "good" psychologist can help at your very first session. I can only speculate that your reason for going was/is of greater depth than can be resolved by talking with friends. & yes, a psychiatrist can give you medication, but be quite sure that you NEED it. The woman I saw had been given an anti-depressant that caused her to feel psychotic; it was addictive, & had she stopped "cold" she could have had seizures & died. But she wasn't told. I noted some people asked you to contact them. This was very kind, but be cautious. I wish I knew more about why you were motivated to go; I believe I could help. However, I've changed professions a few times & would not feel--since I'm no longer in practice--that it would be ethical of me, however much I would like to assist. You could IM me for a few little chats if you wish. Very best...

Answer 5

I have never heard of a 15 minute session! If this was your initial meeting, then its no wonder you felt that is was useless. That amount of time is basically useless. Are you sure he wasn't a psychiatrist? They prescribe medications and typically meet with clients for 10 minutes, but do not provide traditional therapy.

If you are looking for therapy, then you should seek a psychologist or licensed counselor. Your initial session, and subsequent sessions, should last approximately 45 to 50 minutes. Some time will be used in the first session to complete paperwork and discuss confidentiality issues.

Another big issue to consider is your type of insurance or the clinic where you sought treatment. I believe some insurance companies have approved, or are considering approval of, a 30 minute-therapy session. So it may have been your insurance company which limited the session length, if of course it was with a psychologist/counselor. Some clinics also offer different session lengths, again, probably dependent on who is funding the session.

Answer 6

Oh god 15 minutes is way too short. Sounds like a crappy place, I'd shop elsewhere....

Depending on the seriousness of the problem people need anywhere from 45-minute sessions once a week or one-three hour sessions three times a week, or once every day for serious psychological disorders (you don't have those so don't worry about that).

But yeah how can you get help with your life in that time lol? Just proves my point that we want fast food, fast cars and 'fast therapy.' *rolls eyes*

Answer 7

The thing is that 15 minutes is too short a time for anything to help. 30 minutes (too short too). An hour is the standard time and it will take many sessions until things will start moving. And in general, psychotherapy is expensive. So yeah, I would say its a waste of money if you hope you'll have your problem fixed for you in 30 minutes.
I would start to do my own fixing, talk to people who don't charge like crazy, my friends, facing my fears and finding out where they come from ... but that's just me. I'm a staunch believer in "If you want something done - do it yourself!" Best of luck in whatever you decide to do!

Answer 8

So many people have a psych stereotyped into something, that isn't completely true. Unless you need drugs (antidepressants) you truly don't need to see a psych at the beginning of your therapy. It would be a good idea to see a therapist first. All therapist work under a psych., but have their own way of doing things. A good therapist is someone who gets to the major points of whats bothering you, and also knows what to look for. Keep in mind, that you need to be comfortable with who you choose to counsel you. It's like shopping for the right Doctor. You wouldn't keep going to any Dr. that is rude and has a bad bedside manner, so find some one you like, and you feel you might find trust in them. The therapist will know if you need meds. Good luck. Friends are great, but they don't have a master's degree in Psychology either!

Answer 9

a lot of what clinical psychologists do is listen, so if all you want to do is talk to someone about your life and your thoughts then talking to your friends is just as good (although they aren't legally bound to keep what you say private) and far cheaper. on the other hand, if you think you may have some kind of problem that could be diagnosed (tons of people do, there's no shame in it), then it very well could be a good idea to see a psychologist or a psychiatrist. (the main difference being that psychiatrists are lisenced to write prescriptions.)

Answer 10

Depends what you are going for and what kind of psychologist he is. If he/she is a psychoanalyst, (i.e, make you lay on a couch and face away from you, ask you to tell them all your problems and not give you any solutions), you are going to be in there for a long long time and may never see any changes. I suggest seeing a clinical psychologist or a counselor, they are more helpful and you will see changes (hopefully)