Hello & Welcome, ThisIsTough! I'm glad you've found a real, living person with whom you can talk face-to-face about what troubles you. And do please make yourself at home here, too.
Yes, now is the time to deal with the various facets of the "thing" - relationship patterns, emotions, anxiety, shame, the past. Exploring those may take time and lead in several directions.
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My dog
mastered the "fetch" command. He would communicate he wanted something, and I would fetch it.