151. Why does a treatment visit with a psychologist cost more than a treatment visit to my family physician?

Part of the cost of psychological treatment is related to the personal attention and individual treatment you receive. Sometimes at your family physician, you are seen by a nurse practitioner or a physician’s assistant, instead of by the physician.

Also, when you visit your family physician for a problem, you might receive between five and fifteen minutes of one-on-one attention from your physician during an office visit. However, psychotherapy appointments are for 45 to 60 minutes, and sometimes longer. For testing and evaluation services, a psychologist may spend several hours with you. The fees charged for psychological services reflect this time and personal attention.

If you look at the amount of time spent in treatment, psychological treatment is much less expensive than medical treatment.