Becca, your continued feedback about your therapy is just what the therapist wants and needs. When you want space or silence, go ahead and say that. right when it's happening.

Yes, a good idea to begin the next session, and any session, with thoughts about the previous sessions, about what you want and need like the silences and more time on a subject and how to let T know when you need that. Talk about everything on your mind. Anything and everything, censuring nothing.

No one is 'good' or 'not good' at therapy, Becca. It might feel like you aren't doing well because you are new to it and because you may be judging yourself; try not to judge yourself. Talk about anything and everything, without censuring yourself for any reason. Sometimes you will feel the effect of therapy soon and sometimes not for a while. Just stay commited and keep going. Just showing up sometimes can be a huge effort worth celebrating.

I'm so sorry you're hurting from your recent surgery. Can you wear a sandal-type shoe for a while? Are you recovering at home or do you have to go to work? Foot surgery is painful especially when any weight on the foot makes it hurt more. Also, some pain meds interfere with sleep when I take them, particularly Vicodin (hydrocodone) which is widely used after surgery. I'm wondering if that might be the case with you too? If so, you could get something else. Just something to think about.

Here is a site I like a lot. It has a great section of Questions and Answers that were and still are very helpful to me: www.guidetopsychology.com. Maybe it will be helpful to you too.

Keep talking, don't judge and cesure; it's all something to explore and learn from.