For me the process is largely developmental. It's about the T learning enough about me and how I think and feel about my life and my self to suspect what either didn't happen as it should have or went wrong developmentally. How he was able to do that was by my willingness to share both information and my feelings within the relationship with him. Within this communication, it also became apparent what hindered my expression (what are often called the defenses).

As this picture became more clear, my T would know how to respond to me in order to have me experience him and the interaction differently from the past. This was a reparative experience which would challenge my assumptions and behaviors. It also allowed me to develop capacities--like for trusting--that I wasn't able to develop in childhood.

My T rarely spoke about the structure of therapy. He never said I fought the process, even when I would be resistant or silent, etc. I guess because overall I accepted that I would be honest and believe he wanted to and could help me.