Good point. But is it really just talking?
I find it useful to explain psychotherapy by comparing it to physiotherapy. We understand how physiotherapy promotes healing by moving your body in a strategic way. This may involve stretching, exercises, possible discomfort, and almost always, effort. We understand how the physiotherapist has the skills and knowledge to guide the process, but it's you and your body that does the work and determines the healing.
Psychotherapy works much the same way. Therapists (and counsellors) understand the conditions and processes that result in psychological pain. Working with you, we provide the appropriate therapy using a strategic conversation. This conversation will require you to 'exercise' your mind. There will be stretches, practices, and sometimes discomfort. And just as in physiotherapy, positive change will require effort.
So while therapy looks like just talking, there's a lot of neuroscience, psychology, and genuine compassion guiding the conversation.
Psychological pain is as valid as physical pain, and the corresponding therapies are just as useful.