It probably depends on your world view, lets call it. Like some people believe in an inner child, some don't. Some believe in transference, others believe their actions today are influenced only by their immediate surroundings today, nothing from their past.

So a question about how therapy could change a person, would need to take into account, the makeup of that person.

Say you had a job walking dogs. Would you just go get the dog every day, take them around the block, and not interact with them? No, that would be weird, and not enjoyable. Thats what just talking to your t and not "attaching" is - mechanical dog walking.

But from what little dogsitting i have done, i know that even a few days can result in fixing a barking problem. Thats why they say: "therapy - it is the relationship that heals."

So theres a couple ideas. Hope it helps.