I don't think I've kept secrets. But I do dole out information when I think it's time to share it. I'm an open book, but I'm not going to turn the pages for you. You have to ask the right questions.

Early on in our work, my therapist kept asking why I thought I was a monster. I would cite incidents that were kinda-sorta illustrative, but not especially shameful for me. So they were relatively easy to talk about. But they were also easy for her to dismiss.

One day, I was tired of my concerns being belittled (that's how it felt to me) and I dropped the biggest "monster" episode. I hadn't actively withheld it from her, but up to that point I just didn't feel comfortable spilling everything about myself. I am glad I did tell because doing so convinced her that I had justification for my feelings--that I just wasn't beating myself up for nothing. It also helped her to better pinpoint my diagnosis, I think. I don't know if it changed her opinion about me, but it was kind of a memorable experience (in a good way) in our relationship.

One thing that may help is knowing that whatever tale you're sitting on, your therapist has probably heard much worse.