Hey Meow, I agree with some of what you're saying about client responsibility, being an effective consumer of mental health services, and retaining the "right" therapist. But we are talking about consumers with mental health problems. Some of us have had horrific life experiences. The therapeutic relationship makes us perfectly vulnerable to Ts who have economic interests that diverge from our economic interests. The T might not be consciously conniving or scheming, but unknowingly strings out sessions and fosters dependency to keep their revenue stream. And Lauliza is right about the private practitioner. That person is especially motivated to hold onto clients. Not just for monetary reasons but because of comfort and familiarity.