Just this week my T talked to me about my eye contact, because I was really struggling to look at him and I commented on it by saying that I felt just so ashamed. He asked in one of his kindest voices if I could try looking at him, even just a little bit, even just for a few seconds. He said that it would begin to help to break the cycle of shame. I told him that I couldn't right then.

We have talked about it before also, in the context of eye contact being important for building relationships etc.

I find I spend a lot of time looking at the floor and out the window, but when we are having a discussion that does not involve historical stuff, trauma or really difficult emotions I appreciate looking at him. It does help to strengthen the connection and sometimes I even see care in his expression.(At least I think that is what it is). And if I didn't look sometimes I wouldn't have seen his tears of empathy or his kind smile.