After several frustrating experiences with therapists, I now tell a new therapist during the initial session that I will not see a therapist who only knows how to say, "What do you think about that?", "That is a problem, how do you think you should handle it?", or any other form of therapy where the therapist repeatedly comments with questions rather than substantive information or suggestions.

I try to do my part by being open and forthright. I tell the therapist straightaway what issues are most pressing in my view. Generally, many others get discussed, but for me getting the most difficult and traumatic issues on the table is my way of showing the therapist I am serious about dealing with my problems.

Having a good working relationship with the therapist is paramount. If I do not think I am making progress, I ask the therapist if he/she still believes s/he can help me. One therapist was honest enough to tell me he did not look forward to seeing me.

As I have said before, despite having had a large turnover in therapists, I have learned from each of them. While I do not view changing therapists as a failure, I am encouraged by this quote from Churchill: "Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm."