But I don't see that as being told I am "broken" and have never gotten that message from my very competent therapists who DID teach me very specific skills. That seems to be your perspective and experience, and I do think some therapists have that approach, but I wouldn't say it applies across the board by any means. Perhaps different modalities tend more to the "client is broken and flawed and needs to be fixed" mentality, but I've very actively chosen not to see therapists with that approach and really had no problem finding therapists who completely believed in my strength and ability, and they saw clients as people who already have the ability and just could use assistance in finding it in themselves. That is about empowerment and autonomy, not brokenness and "saviors" imparting knowledge.