The perception that therapists, although we are part of the medical field, are like General Practitioner doctors. The belief that therapists and other medical professionals can provide a quick fix with a magic pill and miraculous advice stems from a variety of factors, including societal expectations, media portrayals, misunderstandings about therapy, and the desire for immediate relief from emotional distress.
One example of the difference between consulting with a general medical practitioner versus a psychotherapist is that general medical practitioners study pure medicine and generally consult with their patients between fifteen minutes and a half hour. Some medical specialists such as psychiatrists, initial consultation may even take between 90 and 120 minutes for assessment, with follow up appointments being between 15 and 30 minutes. Psychotherapists on the other hand, for the intital consultation and all other consultations consult between 55 and 120 minutes, depending on the practitioner and the patient’s needs, with the standard consultation being between 55 and 90 minutes.
Psychotherapy is a process of active listening to the patient while observing the patient’s body language and facial expression. Psychotherapists are trained to investigate what the patient is overtly saying and what is not said in order to also decipher what is not said. Psychotherapy is a process of understanding the patient which can take a few weeks to a few months and assisting the patient to navigate their emotional, psychological and life difficulties and while some techniques can be used to put a band aid on the gaping wound that is the patient’s emotional and / or psychological pain, hence psychotherapy is not a quick fix but a slow stitching together of all the parts in the gaping wound in order to close them up and allow for healing time. There is no psychotherapy magic pill to give the patient long term quick relief.
Licensed psychotherapists, social workers, and counselors do not prescribe psychiatric medication. General medical practitioners and psychiatrists are licensed to prescribe psychiatric medication which takes approximately two and six weeks for the medication to take effect and for the patient to start feeling better. Although there are techniques psychotherapists may use for several mental and emotional difficulties, it is a process which the patient is required to actively engage and practice to extract the most benefit, especially for long term improvement.
A quick side note: Patients are taught techniques that they can feel give relief (no matter how temporary), it does happen that patients (too often) leave therapy before they have been properly treated for maximum long term gain and effect. Unfortunately, this is too common as many people are impatient and demand quick relief from their emotional and psychological difficulties. In the long term, if the patient does not continue with the prescribed psychotherepeutic treatment, it may cause further distress, and the process needs to start all over again.
Here are some reasons why people may mistakenly expect therapists to offer quick fixes akin to a doctors visit treatments:
It’s important to recognise that therapy is a collaborative and progressive process that requires time, effort, and commitment from both the therapist and the patient. While therapy can be transformative and lead to positive changes, lasting healing and growth often occur gradually over time through self exploration, insight, and practice of coping skills learned in therapy. It is difficult to state how long patients may require treatment as treatment is individually tailor made for the patient and the how quickly the patient processes the treatment.
Therapists work with clients to facilitate self discovery, personal growth, and sustainable change, rather than offering quick fixes or instant solutions. By approaching therapy with realistic expectations, openness, and a willingness to engage in the process, individuals can experience the profound benefits of therapy and achieve lasting transformation in their lives.
Ingrid is a psychotherapist, Social Worker, Somatic Therapist with special interest in Clinical Work. She’s an EMDR, Brainspotting, TIR practitioner, Hypnotherapist, & is registered with SACSSP. Contact Ingrid to find out more how she can assist or to book an appointment.