I agree that checking to see if you're on base is a good thing. However, I would say that my T was an EXPERT in deflecting questions about what was going through T's head ....

I would ask:

Why are you smiling?

Raised eyebrow

What's occuring to you....

"No, it's about you...go on."

What's so funny.

"I agree"

This was not as fruitful as it might have seemed when I embarked on the checking.

I'm just sayin'....not every therapist is going to be open to having you shift it to THEIR perceptions. Some of them want you to be open while being closed themselves.

It can be really damaging.