Clearly people pleasing and being overly deferential is a problematic trait. But that does not automatically mean therapy is a good idea.

Therapists try to link life problems directly with the need for therapy. I fell for this. Figured i had to hire a therapist to "talk about it".

I see almost no discussion of this anywhere. Most people just acquiesce to the marketing narrative... if you have problems A, B, or C you need therapy (or need to continue therapy).

Thinking critically and independently means pushing back when someone is selling an expensive (and poorly defined) service. I should have been asking... where is the evidence that i need this overpriced artificial relationship.