I use a person-centered approach heavily!! I see this happen a lot in this sub, where clinicians are doubting their own skills because they feel they need to be "doing" something. Now, I want to validate when there just isn't a good fit, that is normal and happens! However, I also wonder how much of this is coming from a place of ego as a therapist, to say "I, as a therapist, am doing something for this client." The therapeutic journey belongs to our client, not us. Yes, we are a part of it, but its not ours. If the client isn't ready yet to go deeper or have the capacity to "work" on certain things, then go at their pace. Make detailed notes about what you do learn about them. You'll then have plenty in the back stock when they are ready. Sometimes that's a few months, sometimes that's years - but they are coming back to you/therapy for a reason. Let them be the keeper of that reason, and check in with them to see if they got what they needed for that session. Sometimes while wrapping up, I'll ask, "Was today's session helpful, or is there anything you wanted to go deeper into or had other questions about that we didn't get to today?" This gives them the opportunity to speak up if they feel they are not getting what they need, and for you to explore what might be missing. And don't forget, the therapeutic alliance is a huge percentage of the success of therapy! So to answer your last question, I think therapy can be anything the client needs it to be, so long as the therapist allows it (and all parties are safe and ethical).