I'm wondering if perhaps a therapist's approach on validating a clients reality fall somewhere along a continuum, with therapists who simply listen and reflect back what the client is saying on one end, therapists who give their own interpretation and thoughts constantly on the other, and with many T's falling somewhere in the middle, both validating a clients view and gently giving some suggestions?

Lickety I don't generally feel misunderstood by people. I'm wondering - does it matter if we focus on the therapeutic relationship? Maybe it is a positive thing to do? When we talk about it I am expressing my feelings and thoughts? Maybe to do so is good therapy?

Mouse I agree with you that we only get the clients perspective on here. I'm hoping that a discussion on here will equip me better to discuss it with T - help me to understand myself.

Hankster that might be what my T does - kind of skips the step of acknowledging what I have said and comes straight back to me a few steps on.

Mastodon, I too wonder about my Ts other clients, how her methods manage to work for them? I wonder if they are more passive than me or just have different needs so it is not an issue?

SD - As I drove away from my appointment I imagined myself returning with a PowerPoint explaining to her the impact of her approach and asking her what she thought about alternative responses a therapist might give.