How did she dismiss you?

I would not be happy to sit and talk and not have anything happen. I would be very frustrated if I left without accomplishing something. I don't like chit chat sessions & have told my therapist this. He was great about it - right after I told him that, he tried to start working on heavier issues. The time I felt a connection with my therapist, we discussed the ways in which I have changed & ways that I still needed to change.

I think one of the things that I have learned in therapy is to embrace the smaller changes. I am very goal-oriented and want the BIG changes, but now that I am learning to acknowledge small changes, I am actually closer to my goal.

In my case, connection means that he's listening to what I am saying & using his specialized knowledge to help me tweak the things that need to be tweaked. I don't care if he feels empathy; I want him to help me address my issues. I am happiest when he is challenging me & I am uncomfortable & facing something difficult and new.