My 2nd T asked me about physical abuse once, but it was in response to something he witnessed me react to in a group therapy setting. It really wasn't a question out of the blue; there was a specific clue that led him there. But I remember feeling like he was asking me out of the blue; but really, it wasn't. I would suspect your T's questions about physical abuse were also prompted by something he observed in you whether you realize what it was or not.

My current T has asked some very specific questions about my sexual abuse that again seemed out of the blue, but in retrospect it was clear that he had picked up on something that led him to those questions that I didn't even realize I was doing.

If you aren't giving off those signals/clues in some way consciously or unconsciously, they aren't there for him to pick up on. If this is something you need to discuss, you are going to have to find a way to unbury it enough to put it on his radar.

Perhaps as your T gets to know you and your history and tendencies better he will pick up on things, but the bottom line is that if this is an issue you know you need to talk about, you are going to have to find some way to communicate that to him. Like pbutton said, you could simply say there is something about your past you need to talk about but you are hesitant to do so and see where that takes you. Is there a photograph of you around that time that could spark discussion along that era in your life? Do you draw? It is so hard to say those words the first time, but once you do they are finally out there and honestly there is a bit of relief that the secret is finally shared with at least one other person.

Good luck with this. I think we can all relate to the fears and avoidance and hesitation that go along with those secrets we have held for so long.