Ok this is kind of a dumb question.

Hypothetically, as I understand it, a Therapist won't tell a client what to do about their problems. They're not 'fixers'. I get that. Their job is to let the client find the courage, self-esteem, agency, to make their own decisions. I can see why this is necessary. But...

I'm in a bad state about one particular issue and it's getting worse. The last few sessions I really do get the vibe that my Therapist knows the right thing to do but is holding her tongue because ... she doesn't want to make that decision for me. Recently, during one very intense session, she almost said something but just paused, looked away and shook her head and said, "Yeah... I'll just leave it at that..." I said, "yeah, I know..." but that was it.

Have you ever asked a Therapist directly, "Okay I'm at a state of loss, I can't quite bring myself to make the jump... what do you think I should do? Do you have an opinion?" I would love to hear my T just say "Yes, I think you should do this... it's the right thing to do..." and know it's her actual opinion, not just a validation of my own feelings.

I'm asking myself, why do I need "T" to tell me what to do? This is MY life. Why not tell Family or Friend X , Y, Z ... etc. and get the same advice? Of course she can't offer an entirely objective opinion because she only hears what I tell her. Any opinion she does have will be based on the data I bring into session, so it's skewed how I would want it anyway...

I guess I just want someone to give me encouragement from their own POV.