OK, I'm going to admit my bias here. I'm Simcha and I'm an American and I'm a psychotherapist intern. *Hi Simcha* LOL!
Anyway, I work in the field and I can tell all of you that psychotherapy is greatly under-utilized. Too often people medicate themselves with work, food, sex, alcohol, mind altering substances, psychotropic medication, shopping, drama, television, music, etc... and don't deal with what is actually going on.
We have stressors the likes of which our ancestors never dreamed. Technology has far outpaced our intellectual, ethical, spiritual, and emotional abilities and responsibilities to use it.
Also, there is the stigma of being labelled as "mentally ill" that keeps too many people away from psychotherapy. Society in general discriminates against those who suffer from emotional and mental illnesses. How many times do people tell people who are truly depressed, "Oh, snap out of it!?"
Please don't judge the USA by our media. I know there's all that noise it makes, but we, as a people, are not our celebrities. Most people are not like Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, or Britney Spears. We do not consult our psychotherapists (most people have never been to a psychotherapist) for every decision.
Also, one of the points of psychotherapy is helping the client to acheive independence and individuation. Good psychotherapists encourage clients to make their own choices. We guide our clients, we don't give advice, unless absolutely necessary (i.e. with suicidal clients). Those I consider really good psychotherapists have treatment plans that include the following phases:
Assessment
Building a Therapeutic Alliance
Treatment Planning
The Treatment Itself
Preparation for Termination
Termination
Therefore, I believe a good psychotherapist plans for an eventual termination of services. Terminations are extremely important in psychotherapeutic treatment. Most people don't do endings very well. Guiding a client through an ending in a positive way can be a powerful corrective experience for the client.
I work with homeless 18-25 year olds. I get 24 months maximum to work with them that can be extended for 6 months. At the end of 24 months they need to be able to move on to the next thing, hopefully independent living. That's the goal of treatment. Most of my clients don't need the full 24 months. Some take eight months and leave for a year or two and come back only to leave again and finally "make it." So, I am biased that there should be an ending to psychotherapy planned into the Treatment Plan...