I agree that many therapists try to impose a false image of themselves as being more self-aware, balanced and successful than the average human. Wasn't my experience at all and this was part of the reason why I never viewed them as authority figures - they did not demonstrate more competence than I felt myself or could see from many other more or less accomplished people. The false image especially irritated me with one of my Ts: he has a lot of public stuff about therapy on the internet, some of which sounds quite compelling, saying all the right things about therapy and the limitations of therapists. That was what drew me to him in the first place - just to find that what he does in reality is not even close to what he is preaching, rather the opposite in many ways. Also the way he handled our conflicts seemed more immature than I see from most people. There is no way for me to cultivate ideals about the integrity of someone like that long. My other T was much better at it, but still, never had the impression that he was particularly skilled at life than most other people who have generally successful professions and have the elements of a conventionally okay personal lives such as a family of high achievers, hobbies and many personal interests, ability to remain reasonably ethical, pleasant and engaging personalities, etc. I know many people like that and the T did not stand out among them at all. I do understand that they present such a "professional" image, otherwise why would people go to therapy if not to get help for all the issues in life? I just despise when it is overdone and obviously contrived or exaggerated.