I didn't read ALL of the replies, but just to add my answer.... when I first started seeing my T (last May), I was SO closed up and scared. This was a whole new experience for me, and it terrified me. I'm quite sure when I DID look at T, I always had a skeptical look on my face. I didn't know her. Why should I trust her? One day she said that her read on me is that I will have a hard time trusting her unless I know more about who she is as a person. She started self disclosing a few things, but above all else, told me I was more than welcome to ask her questions. I haven't asked her many....but those I have asked, she's answered without hesitation, never needing to psychologize anything and find out WHY I wanted to know these things. Just in my last session, I asked her if she's been divorced. Not only did she answer yes, but she told me "twice." Considering that possibility in my life is mostly what brought me in there initially, it was helpful information for me to know.... that she's not just talking out of a text book, she's BEEN THERE. Twice. (and she's married a third time)