Why does it matter if the therapist looks at the clock if you only get a set time with your therapist anyway?
The relationship between an individual and their therapist is comparable to a friendship, it involves choosing a trustworthy person to confide in. But unlike a friend a therapist has a duty of care and is bound by an agreement.
Patients attending the GP understand they are on a tight schedule and are encouraged to be concise to avoid overburdening. This could otherwise result in the common spiel “one problem per appointment”.
In my own experience of counselling and supervision, when a therapist looks at the clock something inside of me halts. You are suddenly removed from the session and placed back into the world you temporarily left for respite.
As a child do you remember learning how to tell the time? From that moment the clock continues ticking away. Being in therapy provides clients with the opportunity to pause time and reflect on their lives without interruption.
At Azra Therapy, checking the time is done discreetly toward the end of the session. I strive to end each session naturally, without saying “times-up”. This allows a few extra minutes to ensure a soft transition back into the world.