I am not good at having feelings about therapy.

But, having said that, I think it is insane to expect people to develop a bond with a therapist, trust that therapist, be more open than ever before to that therapist - and then not need any reassurance from them.

Uh. Okay.

I think the therapeutic model is a bit broken, because therapists seem to want to have it both ways. They want you to be vulnerable and open and to feel all your feelings. And they also want you to be completely independent of them and not need them.

And I don't think those two states are compatible. Emotional intimacy is the strongest form of intimacy there is. Of course you're going to need / want / crave reassurance from your therapist. That's not unhealthy. That's natural.

I feel like therapists put themselves in this position which makes you so intensely vulnerable with them, and then punish you for your needs and wants and tell you that you'll grow from it.

I smell nonsense there.