Despite the radical change of ideologies that occurred in the early 90s of the last century, in my opinion, one thing has been and remains unchanged in our society: As before the fall of the communist system, and after it, we en masse experience some kind of unquenchable thirst for faith. It’s just that before everyone believed in the victory of communism. And now we are increasingly turning to Christianity-Muslim-Buddhism-Hare Krishna. Or maybe someone else believes in Putin. And some, on the contrary, believe that the Putin government is the embodiment of Evil. Against the background of such religiosity, it is not surprising that many psychologists are beginning to operate with this concept in their practice. Despite the fact that faith, for example, does not appear on the list Maslow's needs. And it is not included in the list of necessary skills of a practicing consultant (in most areas known to me). Believing in the Other is considered good form in our profession. And if this Other (especially the client) directly asks to believe in him (in his strength, ability to overcome obstacles or ability to cope with difficulties), very few people will dare to refuse. But is this really useful? Or I will say differently - are you sure that your faith does not harm the client? In my practice, I proceed from the fact that a person comes to me for a consultation not for a portion of inspiration. And not for improving mood and well-being. Otherwise, a glass of whiskey or a glass of vodka would have completed this task faster than I could (and much cheaper). And then to see and acknowledge reality. It is the discovery of reality and, accordingly, oneself in this reality that is a very difficult, but extremely necessary skill for a modern person. Having discovered himself and the reality in which he exists, an ordinary person will most likely be able to find a way out of the difficult situation in which he finds himself. And, as a rule, on his own. This assumption has been confirmed repeatedly in my life and in my practice. And therefore I am inclined to be guided by it in my work. What prevents this discovery? And why are people not always able to cope with such a task? There can be many reasons for this. And one of them (in my opinion, the main one) is the readiness of others (with the best intentions, of course) to recognize a fictitious reality (the client’s, interlocutor’s, or their own) and their unwillingness to rely on facts. So tell me, when someone claims that Are you able to build a business, does it reflect Reality? Of course. But only if you are ALREADY a successful businessman. And when, for example, a psychotherapist reports that you are able to defend your psychological boundaries in a conflict with your mother, is he based on facts? That may also be the case. But only if before that you have successfully defended them in a conflict with the therapist himself. And this is provided that you are connected by dozens of consultations and a firmly formed maternal transference to the therapist. Otherwise, it is only faith in you and your abilities. What is faith? This is an acknowledgment of the Truth that people cannot or simply could not (for various reasons) verify earlier. But why should they do this? That is, why recognize as reality something that has not been tested? In my opinion, those who do this hope that this will help the person (in whose abilities they believe) to cope with their problems. Or that this will make the relationship with him better and warmer. With the best intentions, in short. But if in ordinary relationships such hopes are understandable (although not justified, in my opinion), then in therapeutic ones they are harmful. Is it possible to help a person develop his ability to discover himself and the surrounding reality, if at the same time we talk about his own hopes and fantasies (even if exclusively positive towards him) instead of detecting and recognizing reality? I strongly doubt this. And that’s not what I’m talking about, I’m sure the person will forgive. Even if he asks you to believe in him. There is no such need as the need for