Isn't funny how we are all concerned about cheating the therapy process. I think Perna's comments are valid and reading her perspective as usual makes me re-assess my own. My perspective on the issue of guidance was strongly influenced by things that were said in my individual therapy and my desire to give up control a little bit. For me, asking and then actually allowing my T to direct my therapy somewhat might not be a bad thing and might allow me to relax a little bit. I don't think any approach we choose is cheating as long as we remain active participants in the process. Asking your T for guidance is simply asking for what you think want at this time. Who know it may be a necessary step in learning to trust yourself. Who knows maybe trusting yourself means, allowing yourself to trust that someone else may be in a better position to lead. If your T is willing to lead for a while great. If he thinks that providing guidance is not the way to go and instead helps you evaluate why it is you feel like to need him to lead at this point, that's great too.