The response of your therapist may be typical, but it's essential to remember that therapists vary in their communication styles and approaches. Without knowing the specific context and rapport you have with your therapist, it's challenging to draw definitive conclusions about her intentions or opinions.
Here are a few possible reasons why your therapist responded in that way:
Reflective Listening: Therapists often use reflective listening techniques to help clients gain deeper insights into their thoughts and feelings. By mirroring back what you said, she may have been attempting to ensure that she understood your concerns correctly.
Exploring Motivation: Your therapist's question about why you wanted to know about your progress might have been an attempt to understand the underlying reasons behind your inquiry. Exploring your motivations can provide both you and your therapist with valuable information about your current state and therapeutic goals.
Neutral Response: Some therapists try to remain neutral and avoid influencing clients' perceptions of their progress. By not immediately offering her opinion, your therapist may have wanted to give you space to explore your feelings and thoughts about your progress without any external biases.
Avoiding Presumptive Assumptions: Providing direct feedback on your progress could risk making assumptions about how you feel or what you expect. By using reflective listening, your therapist might have aimed to create a space for you to assess your progress on your terms.
Therapeutic Process: Your therapist may be guiding you towards reflecting on your own journey and growth over the past three years, rather than solely relying on her evaluation.
It's essential to communicate openly with your therapist about your feelings and concerns. If you're unsure about her response or have any doubts about your progress, it's perfectly valid to seek clarification and further exploration in your sessions. Constructive communication between you and your therapist can enhance the therapeutic relationship and foster better understanding.
Additionally, after three years of therapy, it might be helpful to discuss with your therapist your overall therapeutic goals, the progress you've made towards those goals, and any new or evolving areas you'd like to work on. This can help ensure that the therapy remains focused on your needs and aspirations.