For myself this answer is not about what other people do or what other people need. I think there are a number of different dimensions upon which some therapy clients could be considered to be doing better than others-- one is life functioning, from unable to work because of mental health issues to super successful at work, or from no social support system to a long term and stable support system. Another might be severity of symptoms, from folks who need to be hospitalized to folks who pose no threat of self harm. Another might be coping abilities, where some folks might appear able to deal with whatever crises come their way, to others who are thrown into a crisis from any small destabilization. I think another might be progress, whereas some folks are stagnant while others move quickly towards growth or take risks that are likely to generate growth. So when T's make statements about how one is doing well, they could be speaking to any or all (or more) of these dimensions. I could see how this could be felt as if a T was minimizing difficulties experienced by a client, though. I have certainly felt that way in the past.

For me the issue is about whether I am where I want to be right now. If I am where I want to be, then I don't need therapy. If I want to be healthier or happier or be more who I think I am but I'm not there yet, then I need to be in therapy. I think that a belief that you don't need to be in therapy because of some objectively high level of some kind or all kinds of functioning misses the point. That seems like saying that the world record holder in some distance of running or swimming doesn't need a coach because they are already the world's best. Or that this athlete doesn't need to practice, or try different ways to become better, faster.

Of course athletics are competitive, but therapy is for me a competition with myself. I have goals to be a better person-- at ease more in my social relationships, a better communicator with my wife, to be more comfortable and have fewer miscommunications with my colleagues and friends; to be better at resolving conflicts with everyone; to have a greater distance between the effects of my traumatic past and my present life; to be more mindful, especially during times of intensified emotion.

I'm sure if I quit therapy right now, I'd be just fine. But I guess I"m looking for more out of life than just an absence of serious problems or crises.