[theorc]

To conclude, Constaquay, Goldfried, Wiser, Raue, and Hayes (1996) stated, “It is imperative that clinicians remember that decades of research consistently demonstrates that relationship factors correlate more highly with client outcome than do specialized treatment techniques.” The Therapeutic Relationship is the Most Important Ingredient in Successful Therapy

My first therapy session occurred almost fifty years ago. Seeking help was an extremely difficult decision. My inability to resolve the malaise called life I deemed a personal failure; a lack of will; a defect of character.

For many years, I thought all I had to do was open up to the right therapist and endure the side effects of mind-altering medications. Now, I know my well-being is my responsibility.

That said, I went through multiple therapists and close to thirty different medications without achieving the means to like who I perceived I was.

I am much better now. Yet, I still believe I have nothing to live for and nothing to die for (I am not suicidal). My life lacks purpose. Based on inculcated dogma, death means a trip to Hades.

This anecdotal is intended to stress the need to work with your professional to find core values, meaning and forgiveness.

Perhaps of interest:

https://psychcentral.com/psychotherapy/
What Is Therapy?
The Third Wave of CBT | Psych Central

Therapy is whatever we use it for.

[here today]

Originally Posted by theorc

My first therapy session occurred almost fifty years ago. . .

For many years, I thought all I had to do was open up to the right therapist and endure the side effects of mind-altering medications. Now, I know my well-being is my responsibility.

That said, I went through multiple therapists and close to thirty different medications without achieving the means to like who I perceived I was.

I am much better now. Yet, I still believe I have nothing to live for and nothing to die for (I am not suicidal). My life lacks purpose. Based on inculcated dogma, death means a trip to Hades.

This anecdotal is intended to stress the need to work with your professional to find core values, meaning and forgiveness.
. . .

I get it. Me, too. But have you been able to find core values, meaning, and forgiveness? In therapy or any other way? I'm now feeling that the purpose of life is life itself, and that at its best therapy might help a person unblock the barriers to fully feeling and being alive. But therapy is not a guarantee for that. What other ways might there be? And how does one find that for oneself?

[neodoering]

I don't have any single great purpose in my life. But for 30 years I have enjoyed writing stories, and for 45 years I have enjoyed hiking and walking for exercise, and since I was 3 I have loved to read, especially fantasy and anthropology. With a good circle of friends and caring family, I do all right for myself. Your mileage may vary. I tried psychotherapy for my schizoaffective disorder and found it wasn't helpful, but some of the drugs have given me relief, for however long a time.

I wish you well in your struggles to define yourself and make use of the therapies available to you. It's hard to advise you, because this is an individual journey. I can only say what worked for me. Every psychiatrist I have had has urged me to physical exercise: "healthy body, healthy mind." And I always feel good afterward...

[Pennster]

Have you ever heard of ACT? Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. It's very much about finding meaning through your values and taking action in accordance with them.

There's a lot online about it, but this website might help you see if it's appealing - https://www.thehappinesstrap.com/about_act

[stopdog]

I have core values, meaning, and don't need forgiveness. Those have nothing to do with therapy for me.

[BudFox]

The word "clinician" appears 19 times in that article and yet the main conclusion is that therapy is primarily a relationship. It's fun to pretend... until somebody gets hurt.

In my experience therapy is mainly emotional prostitution. A relationship-for-hire. And a very contrived and calculated and convoluted one, as evidenced by this: "Can I be in some way which will be perceived by the client as trustworthy, dependable, or consistent in some deep sense?".

There is much more in that article that strikes me as presumptuous, condescending, detached from reality, and vague. He talks about teaching empathy. What?