I think it's like the SAT's and GRE's and GMAT's. When I took the paper versions, I scored high because I could skip the questions I couldn't answer. But ten years ago, when I wanted to tutor the GMAT, I retook it on the computer and scored horribly, because the computer wouldn't let me move on to a more difficult question until I had successfully answered all the easier questions.

A therapist is kind of like the computer version of these test. You think you're smarter, you KNOW you're smarter, you've PROVEN you're smarter - but they keep harping back on this one unimportant thing, and trying all different ways to get you past it, and you wonder why can't we just move on?! Why don't THEY get it?? How dumb are THEY???

Until you realize who is asking (and paying) whom for advice...

so not sure if this answers your question. I know that the therapist cannot go faster than the client is able to, it's like a 3-legged race, you are in it together.