The only way that I have found that therapy "works" for me is if I take pretty strict control of the process. I always go in there with an agenda of what we are going to talk about that session. I have very clear goals in my head about what I want. I expect the therapist to treat me like an intelligent human being and so I don't want any sneaky, manipulative stuff. Of course I hire them because they have knowledge and experience, so it would be silly for me not to listen and consider their advice. But in the end it is my life, so if after really thinking about that advice, I decide it's wrong for me then I don't follow it.

I'll be honest though, it has taken literally years of therapy, and tons of money, to figure out how to make it work for me. And I had several bad therapists who made it worse before I figured out what kind of therapist I need. I guess I keep going because I know that I am less shy now and have I have fewer depression episodes than I did when I started.