I don't look usually to the therapist for advice and the times she has tried to give it unbidden, I have told her to stop. I have once or twice gone in and asked if she could try to be useful on a concrete level, and then she has given her opinion. Usually it has not been particularly helpful or different from what I already knew were the options. I don't have much difficulty knowing I have choices in matters. Sometimes I don't like the choices, but I fully believe I have them. The problem I have with this is the idea that the therapist somehow knows what someone is doing and that they are rejecting help because the client is wrong. It is quite possible the help is being rejected because it is the wrong kind of help for that client.

It is also possible that I am not as bothered by constant complainers because I usually just quit listening after a few minutes and I never try to get them or help them change. If they ask for something specific and I don't mind doing it, then I will help, but I have to make sure I have no real investment in the results.