What therapy is not

When we look into receiving therapy, we may carry some unrealistic expectations of what therapy is and what we are wanting to receive from it.

Therapy is not a magic pill where the therapist is able to heal you from the things you are currently going through.  (Although I, along with many other therapists sometimes wish we had such powers). The therapist is there to support you, reflect with you in order to raise self-awareness, provide ways to consider how to challenge negative destructive unhealthy ways of thinking, point out potential blind-spots, provide coping skills and tools, and even help provide insight (in collaboration) with the client on their situation. 

It's been shown that a client's motivation for change is one of the most important factors for effective therapy.  All that to say that client's are not always at a stage of being willing to "change," because of a trauma they are going through, or because of recent events that is causing them to experience feelings of depression and anxiety, or because simply, they're just not ready. And all that is ok!  Just don't expect a therapist to push you towards change because it's been shown that a client must be ready for that step before the therapist.  A good therapist will check in with the client, and make sure they are not going too far ahead, but rather, side by side.  That is to say that the therapist may have a general roadmap, suggesting and directing in certain ways, but it will ultimately be the client's decision to make a step in that direction.