I asked the question universally--"why do you do this?"--during a difficult session. The answer was a bland but surprisingly genuine "I've always wanted to help people."

I always thought a rehearsed answer would devastate me until I actually got one. Rehearsed answers are safe. I was already feeling vulnerable and cagey, and if my T had tried to make some heartfelt, personalized answer, I probably would have found a way to set it on fire and tell him exactly where he could stick the ashes.