Psychotherapy Scams?

I'm in the States, tried therapy for many years, with many different therapists. Left some when I thought I wasn't getting anywhere, stuck it out with some until it blew up in one way or another.

Because of the number of years, and therapists, and programs, that I tried -- and now, because of my age -- I think it's fair to say the system failed me. I've been out of therapy for almost 3 years, not doing very well but surviving. To what purpose I'm surviving I can't really say. Perhaps one will become clear before I die, perhaps not.

and at least with a cactus, you don't get served platitudes, assumptions and judgment. I found more contentment gardening than I ever did doing therapy.

I have no idea what you mean with that analogy. I would never buy an expensive car.

The psychologists I have worked with (not as a client, in the workplace) were more unwell than the master's level therapists. I am not keen on psychologists personally for that reason.

Psychologists don't receive more training. They are in school for more years, but that is not the same as training. Their extra school time doesn't give them a leg up in terms of clinical acumen, except in regards to psychological testing. Most of it is just research, research, and more research. That has nothing to do with delivering therapy. Track down the curriculums of psychology programs if you don't believe me. They aren't in school for all those years learning how to therapize.