i think different ts have different philosophies about being open. i just had a very helpful session with my t in which i brought up an incident he had mentioned a while back and i wanted to ask some nosy questions. so i asked nosy questions and he answered them honestly and with incredible openness. we have a long term relationship though and so i've learned about him over the years.

have you tried asking your t some questions - like favorite foods or favorite bands or favorite movies? would that help?

there's always going to be an imbalance, but it doesn't *have* to feel impersonal if that makes sense.