[Meloveulongtime]

I've seen tons of therapists and psychologists last 40 years and I can't tell you what they're supposed to do because none of them ever tried to help or teach me anything.
Are they supposed to lead you somewhere so you can figure out how to live your life? Like leading a horse to water?
What does a therapist do?
Everyone I've seen was a disgrace.
I've had mood disorder last 47 years, dissociation and just found out I'm schizoaffective and autistic!
NO one I saw last 35 years could figure that out!

[Therapy reviewed]

A safe space for us to figure things out.

[SquarePegGuy]

just found out I'm schizoaffective and autistic!

If you're struggling with that (as I was) please just remember you're the same person that you were before the diagnoses.

The patient and mental health provider should establish a goal (or a list of them) before the end of the first session. And he or she would help you figure out how to achieve them, as @Therapy reviewed wrote above.

[Victoria'smom]

I had mood disorder NOS for over 15 years before got to Schizo-affective bipolar. My Therapist teach coping skills and records how I'm doing symptom wise. I go 2x a week. I had to find therapist that deals with psychosis to help me. They help me reality testing. I'm one week in to a new therapist so I'm not sure how he will help.

[Lostislost]

I guess it depends what type of therapist you see and where you are in the world. What would your perfect therapist be like? They can only help you as much as you want to be helped, I guess.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by Lostislost

I guess it depends what type of therapist you see and where you are in the world. What would your perfect therapist be like? They can only help you as much as you want to be helped, I guess.

I agree with this, particularly that it really depends on what therapist you see.

Mine, for example, will share feedback/thoughts on things I'm saying, challenge me at times, make suggestions, and gently push me, while also providing support (and sometimes just focusing on the support aspect for long stretches, depending on my needs--like early in the pandemic). He's helped me become a better communicator with my spouse and others in my life and to get better about setting boundaries. And also not beating myself up so much for what I see as my failings. And other stuff. (This has taken place over the course of 7 years, not quickly.)

There have been many bumps in the road over that time, and some major ruptures along with more minor conflicts (I've almost left a couple times). But working through those has ultimately helped me, I think.

However, there's a very wide range of how therapists are, even within the same modality. I've seen a few with very different styles. And, per my therapist, studies have shown that therapist fit, not a specific style, is generally the best predictor of how someone will do in therapy. If someone doesn't connect with their therapist, doesn't feel supported or understood, etc., then the therapy may not be helpful, no matter how good the therapist could be on paper (or if they've helped many other people).

[LostOnTheTrail]

Very good point, LT.

I know a thing or two about that...