Do you think that a therapist should be an active participant in the treatment of his or her clients? Why or why not?

The effectiveness of therapists varies considerably, regardless of their professional background or specialty. The therapist needs to enthusiastically believe that their therapy will help you. Good therapy gives you a sense of hope and expectation of change for the better. It also helps you to develop practical ways forward. Your perception of having a good working relationship with the therapist is very important to success. You need to feel comfortable both with the therapist as a person and with their methods of therapy.

Good therapy is sensitive to your viewpoint and adapts its methods to your individual circumstances rather than imposing an approach's "right" way. Primarily it helps to utilize and develop your own abilities and resources. No one type of therapy has been shown to be consistently superior to others. Therapeutic models and techniques are helpful in structuring therapy when they fit your views of the situation and how it might be helped.

You may feel more comfortable when you begin if you choose a therapist who has experience with your issue. But, you may need someone who is experienced enough to work with whatever issues arise. Therapists often develop a specialty after they have worked successfully in treating patients with similar issues such as eating disorders or depression.