Can you choose the approach of therapy that suits you best or is the doctor's recommendation the last word?

One is always free to go to a different therapist that uses a different technique or style.

A good therapist will discuss this early on in the treatment, including if the approach might clash with your ideology. Do not be surprised, though, if the therapist wants to explore with you why that clash might exist and is it really part of your agency, or is it symptomatic of what issues you need to resolve.

If what the doctor is offering does not seem right for you then seek a second opinion. Not all medical doctors are equal and some make decisions that make their job easier and not what is right for you. I have first hand experiences to back that up.

Find a doctor with the skills and desire to do what is right for you.

Good health.

I believe it depends on the particular situation.

Ultimately it is your choice. But think twice if the doctor’s opinion is different from yours. The doctor has more schooling in the field, has years of experience, has seen the results of the treatment and knows other patients that have had your same problem.
You can trust your gut but if you had to bet, the smart money would be on the doctor’s opinion.

I have some trouble trusting the opinion of specialists. They are not necessary wrong but they do have a bias toward their own specialty. A prostate cancer patient might visit a surgeon who recommends surgery, then an oncologist who recommends chemo, then a radiologist who recommends radiation. Research data from an independent site like Memorial Sloan Kettering show the treatment results for a particular staging are similar.
In that case you as the patient get to pick your treatment.

I don’t know if the OP is talking about medicine or therapy. In any case, as @LuckyGuy says, the practitioner is likely to be biased in the direction of their specialty. You might have a therapist or internist who is willing to try other modalities or you might have to shop around for a different practitioner.

In any case, the choice definitely is yours on which road to take.

@Nuggetmunch Are you talking about psychotherapy or something else?

I have been dealing with cancer for a year or so.

I saw the radiologist last week, I see the oncologist on Thursday.

I like both of them and think they have my best interest at heart. And I have shit insurance.

I honestly don’t know how I would question what they suggest without looking like a dick. At least looking like a dick to them.

I have a Elizabeth Warren t-shirt that I don’t wear if I have to see a doctor since I don’t know their politics and I might get different options if they knew my political leanings. They might be sporting a red hat when they jump in the car after work.

So I leave that shit out of the equation.

But back to the question. I’m not really sure how you ask for a second opinion without saying you think theirs is invalid. And I say that as a guy that was very good in a very specialized field and if you didn’t trust me enough to take my advice I would rather not work with you.

Maybe doctors can put that drama behind them. But I doubt it.

Try no therapy.
Do volunteer work instead.

There is an important concept in medicine called patient autonomy, which is why we have a process called informed consent. Healthcare providers are obligated to explain the potential risks and benefits based on the best scientifically established information for any treatment/procedure so the patient can make her own decision about her care.

@Hawaii_Jake oh sorry, yes, psychotherapy, I should have been more specific. Doesn’t matter though it’s still interesting to know what people think regarding other fields too.

@johnpowell I know right, this is why I hesitated to even ask them directly he he.

Thanks, @Nuggetmunch. I would like to draw your attention to the very first answer in this thread from @zenvelo. He states something that I agree with.

You are free to visit different therapists and choose the one whose style best matches what you want. However, it can be very enlightening to discuss why you may not want to use a certain type of therapy.

Thank you all!!