The simplest way to think of it is as two people, the therapist and the client, focusing together on one person's life. This kind of attention and concentration can be powerful. Often clients settle for just the special attention a therapist offers. Good therapy requires much more than attention. There is a very strong teaching component to all therapies.
Some styles are very directive, and some therapists resemble teachers.
Other styles are much more covert and the teaching is very indirect. Teaching, retraining, restructuring, and rethinking should be included in the change process. Many people want the therapist to take care of their lives. This isn't what good therapy is about. Therapy can result in disaster or a disservice to clients if the therapy causes them to become helpless and dependent upon the therapist.