I hear you on that one! I was a negotiator for years and my ability to withstand conflict was a plus in T. However, I resorted to conflict manipulation in order to AVOID my feelings in therapy. Which was a problem because they really needed to be explored. I felt that I was in a ONE DOWN position in T and that Therapist would take advantage of my vulnerability. IN reality, my inability to be vulnerable was what made me a real ***, and the reason that I was isolated and unhappy. I wish I had let my badass persona go a long, long time ago. I bet that my closed up nature was one of the top 10 things that annoy therapists. Oh well. Live and learn!