She listens to me without assuming anything. She actually takes the time to hear what I am actually saying. Most other professionals I've spoken with have all these preconceived notions of me before I even start speaking. It's ridiculous and I have no tolerance for it.

The main assumption of all the therapists I've seen is that I must be secretly emotional and empathetic deep down. Nothing could be further from the truth, obviously, but they like to assume that. As for why? I think a significant part of it is because I'm a woman. I also do wear a mask of normalcy and that's part of it too, but even when I take off said mask they hold onto their moronic assumptions about me anyway.

Whatever.