Psychotherapists - how do you manage your day?

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Those in private practice, how many clients do you have in one go? I rent a room which can only be booked on the hour, meaning at the most I get ten minutes between. I’m trying to work out how clients is manageable!

Ive spoken to others from my cohort (MSc) and it feels like about half have three and about half have two before a break.

the fact the hiring company rents by the hour doesn’t mean you have the rent so tightly

rent extra hours so allow you a break in between and then time your patients accordingly ie if you need half hour break, time your next one to be thirty mins later

I find five or less clients manageable, but I know for others it may be less, or they may need longer between.

My background was education so I am used to holding space for multiple processes with strong recall.

What does that second sentence mean p,ease?

Of the people I trained on my masters with, half of them have two clients back to back before a break and the other half have three clients back to back. So I’m curious what other people do.

No - I meant your second post about holding multiple spaces with strong recall?

How can space be held? Do you mean an appointment?

So because you were previously a teacher, you can manage multiple appointments without forgetting the details of each client's woes?

I have 2-3 back to back, then a two hour break- for finishing notes and faffing with admin and then 60-90 mins for lunch and a walk/ break.
then have another 2 people. Finish around 3pm

Apologies OP it was @RogersOrganismicProcess post that perplexed me!

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I meant intrapsychic and extrapsychic space for up to five clients processes (and my own).

I'm afraid I am still completely flummoxed but never mind- don't want to derail the thread.

I had therapy for ages and I simply assumed my therapist took a break between sessions to read up on the previous session's notes and clear her head. It's obviously more complex than I imagined!

I'm in private practice not psychotherapy but I have an additional hour per four clients allowing 10 mins break and 10 mins for routine letters to GP, making my notes etc. I don't see anyone back to back. In your shoes I'd do a 9.15am appt, then a 10.30, an 11.45am and rent the room 9-1pm.

I have my own room, half hour between clients and up to 6 per day.

It makes a huge difference having my own room. It's basically the library (well it has books in it )

You’re not the only one @Words 😂🤯

One of the issues I have is that most clients I have currently need evenings and I have to be out of the clinic by 9pm. So I currently have 6-9 one night and 5-9 another. Plus daytimes. I have no issue taking a longer gap between when it’s daytimes, but if I do 3 in the morning, then an afternoon off, then four in the afternoon I’m certainly at capacity. If I have a longer break in the evening I’d need to do three evenings per week.

I would LOVE my own space.

@Words I didn’t realise you were asking as a layperson. I’ll explain. The therapeutic hour is often 50 mins, leaving 10 minutes between clients- if you do them back to back.

For each client you need to be fully present and aware: of what is going on for them; but also aware of what is going on for you (biases, preconceptions, any emotions that we are bringing in from our own lives etc) and what might be happening between you (felt processes).

Each client should experience you as if your were the only client they had seen that day. You need to have enough headspace to listen and observe closely and recall what occurred in the session.

I was saying 5 a day when seeing some back to back with the 10 minute intervals is my comfort level, which I attribute to being used to working full on days with 30 kids at a time, all with their own needs and ‘stuff’. But, I know colleagues who don’t feel comfortable doing even two back to back as they need space to process.

Does that help?

That's perfectly explained, thank you.

I always wondered how my therapist ( the best one) always seemed totally present for me, even though I knew there were several other clients before and after.

I have also been to some absolutely rubbish counsellors and 'therapists' some of whom have been in my view downright dangerous.

Thank you for what you do, and thank you for explaining.