How much is a therapist supposed to build you up?

I totally agree with what everyone else has said. Over the last 20+ years, I have gone to somewhere between 10 - 15 different therapists, until I found the right one that is helping my in a way that really does help me work through my issues. I had one (like you), who gave some compliments early on, which made me feel a bit uneasy - if I want or need compliments, I would rather they come from someone I know personally. Another therapist just kept diagnosing me with one issue after another - anxiety and depression (which I already knew I had), manic-bipolar, ADHD, and the list went on. By the time I stopped seeing her, I was on about 15 different medications! I know it isn't easy to do, but you need to keep trying different therapists until you find the one that you feel makes a really good connection with you and you feel they are truly helping you work through your issues. The one I have right now is the best therapist I have ever had.

Thank you for the help, everyone.

I can finally post without waiting for approval so I'm not sure if anyone saw my above replies that had to be approved. They helped explain the circumstances.

For an update: During my last session, again my T started to gush about my appearance, intelligence, and personality. Instead of guessing, I asked her directly why she kept bringing it up. Why beat around the bush and let it make me paranoid, you know?

She said she sensed my unease and was hoping to make me feel more comfortable in her company by understanding I had her approval and validation. She said a lot of new patients are worried about being judged or rejected by their therapist so she wanted to know that would never happen.

Her explanation gave me peace. Thanks for all the help.

Excellent, I'm glad she gave you a helpful answer which you feel good about. Sounds like she is a good therapist for you.

And well done on bringing it up, too.

Telling you you're handsome? Telling you any woman would be lucky to have you? - I expect you and she would, they would not have said it else.

Complements, just say thank you and move on.