> isn't there some point that mere "support" isn't helping that person to progress in life, but remain static.

maybe. i think it depends on the kind of support. sometimes... i think people have the answer within themselves... and all they really need.... is someone to believe in them and have faith in them... and help them think things through and be a sounding board for that more than anything. i don't know. i imagine different strategies work better for different people. and sometimes... one needs to change strategies.

but as for the 'evaluating my thinking' and 'correcting' my thinking... that implies that there is something *wrong* with my thinking. i don't see why one needs to be confronted with another persons judgement that there is something *wrong* with ones thinking in order to be prepared to working towards something positive.

so much seems to be about...
labelling and judging what is wrong.
and it seems to be thought that one must do that in order to inspire the client to change...
but the client knows things ain't going so well...
that is why they are there for help.
instead of worrying about labelling and judging what the therapist judges to be going wrong... why not just promote positive new ways of doing things.
why condemn the old first?

i think...
that leads to less rapport rather than more...
and i think that in general...
that is the effect of cognitive restructuring.
that it can be counter-productive for a lot of people out there.

and when it does seem to be counter-productive then the client is *blamed* 'well i guess they just weren't prepared to work'

so...

must one internalise a therapists negative judgements...

before one can get better?

i really don't... think so...

i guess i'm interested in theorietical developments...
so interested in the notion of *improving* current theory...
so interested in where current theory might be wanting or lacking or counter-productive...

if it helps you that is a wonderful wonderful thing...
but that doesn't mean it can't be improved on...