In my own experience, therapy was about the giving of and learning of tools and resources to cope with the difficulties (I am bipolar). In both cases a plan of action was drawn up before therapy actually took place. We set targets, discussed how we would reach them, what attaining them would look like, and a suitable time frame to work within.

My illness certainly hasn't gone away. I still am ruled by anxiety and fear but at least I can function through most situations. So yes, therapy improved my condition.

At the end of the day however, I have indeed learned to mask my difficulties.