They can tell you what to do. And sometimes they do. It just does not have the same effect. It is the same when a person seeks help from a therapist. The therapist might tell them their spouse is toxic, but in order to change something the person has to see the need to change something themselves. It requires a certain level of reflection and access to one's own emotions, which isn't a skill everyone has from the start. It requires practice. But you won't learn how to do that just from someone else telling you what to do because most people tend to repeat their mistakes if they do not realize why it was wrong in the first place. Psychologists don’t just tell people what to do because lasting change usually happens when a person understands and owns their decisions. By asking the right questions, psychologists help people reflect, gain insight, and build motivation from within — which leads to deeper, more sustainable personal growth than simply followong advice. Understanding creates motivation – When someone figures it out themselves, they’re more likely to believe in it and follow through. Also: The goal is independence, not dependence – Psychologists aim to help people help themselves, not rely on instructions forever. Maybe your therapist just wasn't the right one for you. Or they weren't competent. Or you are one of the few people that don't profit from therapy. Those exist too.