Sometimes therapists don’t know how therapy works. I think Dr. Smith has a good theory for how it works, and it seems to be backed up by neuroscience. But, at the end of the day, it’s only a theory. No one knows for sure how therapy really works, and therapists of different orientations will disagree.

Even the best therapists often don’t know what they’re doing. I think this is one of the best-kept secrets of the profession, and one that few therapists are willing to admit.

I’ve read a lot of Irvin Yalom’s books, and I have no doubt he is one of the best therapists who has ever lived. Because he is also courageous in his self-revelations, he admits to the struggle, to not knowing what to do next. But he usually finds a way to help his patients, eventually. One caveat is that his meandering method can take a long time — often years.

My therapist has a very specific method that he uses, and if you were to ask him how therapy works, he’ll give you an answer. And I’m sure his answer is correct for some people under some circumstances, but is it the universal truth for everyone? Probably not.

The longer I’m in therapy, the more confused I am about how it works. Sorry about this long comment — I seem to have forgotten my point…