I know my T likes to make clients directly ask for what they need. I know if I do not directly say "we are going to talk about X instead of Y" she will talk about Y.

I would bring the subject up again. Tell the T what you need to do. The T is not supposed to be holding all the power in the therapeutic relationship. The client and therapist share the power. The relationship is about meeting the client's needs, not the therapist's.

If the T still fights you, then ask the T their reasons for not addressing what you need.