It’s not exactly a scam, but it is pretty expensive and can often not have any results. But for some people it can be very valuable and worth it. At least they didn’t prescribe you mind-altering drugs. ;-) Whether it’s “worth it” really depends on the patient and the psychiatrist and the situation and who’s paying for it and how much. Apart from people who do need medication or other situations, my understanding (especially from reading the preface to the book Focusing by Eugene Gendlin, which says as much), people who make psychological progress from psychotherapy (one of the main things psychiatrists do, but not everything they do), are mainly processing their own material themselves, which is something that a good patient-therapist match can facilitate, but that can also be done alone or with others. The good psychiatrists I have seen have been useful and valuable for their professional expertise as smart balanced impartial uninvolved listeners who will let you say practically anything and occasionally offer insights or information, but are mainly giving great safe listening and attention. I appreciate that, but won’t spend $100+/hour for it now because I’m no longer depressed/upset/etc and I have learned various other techniques and resources for processing my material, which cost less, or nothing, and/or that I can do myself. I particularly like that Focusing book as an easy intro to something you can do yourself. Also learning Holistic Peer Counseling. And Feldenkrais awareness through movement classes.