I actually disagree with this. I almost always walk away from my counseling sessions feeling better, safer, less helpless, less weak. My counselor is nudging me to face things, but at a very slow and comfortable pace for me. I'm bringing up the stuff, not him. When he pushes, I just shut down and nothing gets accomplished.

I'm not saying it's easy or a walk in the park at all, it's a challenge sometimes, but I think the belief that it should be harsh and overwhelming is misleading. That's just my opinion.