Mine always starts by asking how my week has been - drives me crazy because I see her on a Monday. I'm learning to ignore it.

In the begining I was a mess and always had something to talk about. Then I started to get a grip on life and would fear sessions of not talking. Then we'd play the silent game ... which I hate. It's a common t tool to be quiet and let you do the talking in the uncomfortable silence, but since I know this tool I turn it into a game of who can be quiet the longest - I usually win, but lose on meaningful discussion with my t.

Now I sometimes go in with things I want to talk about, sometimes I mention the things that have been stuck in my head that day, sometimes she brings up something we discussed previously, and sometimes she asks about an important person in my life.

It sounds like you don't have a great fit with your t. You might want to think of going to someone else. Just like you aren't going to fit with just anyone you may date, but the right one is out there somewhere; you might not fit with the first t you found, but the right one is out there somewhere.