The thing is, Granite, is that you are not ignorant. Whether or not T encourages you to bring painful memories to light or not, they are still there within you ready to cause pain at any time.

My T tells me that the only way to overcome and learn to live with terrible memories is to look at them clearly and not stuff them away and try to hide them,

But going slowly is also advisable because you don't want to re-traumatize yourself. Slowly but surely, little by little, you can let the pieces out. When it gets to be too much for you, stop. And when you're feeling stronger, begin again.

good luck