My T's not one to help much with the talking, and I've been stalled in the same pattern for 4 years, though it has gotten a little better recently.

She always starts by asking how I am. And I always say "I'm fine. How are you?" That's true whether I'm fine or not.

And she'll say she's fine or something very brief like that. (I think she initially intended her "How are you?" as a way to let me start talking. But from day 1 I've always felt like I have to ask how she is...it's the polite thing to do and all.)

So then, because asking me how I am doesn't work, she'll then ask how my week was. Lately I've been a little better about using that to launch into a discussio, but not completely. The rest of the time I say that my week was fine, even if it wasn't.

Ugh. For me getting started is the worst part.

Great poll, Fixated!