Thanks everyone. It bugs me. I don't know, it just feels like there's something *missing*. Especially the feeling that there are interesting, useful things to talk about... but when I try to toss him the ball, he misses. If I knew what those things were, I'd be happy to lead the conversation - I'm not consciously trying to force him to do all the work and pull it out of me. It's just that, without that back and forth, I'm not sure how you ever figure any of it out? Like here, part of what helps me is having people react and ask questions - it forces me to think about different points of view and to really dig to figure out my answers, sometimes, and that helps me get some clarity!

Soccer Mom - thanks. I do have the book (Running on Empty) - but haven't finished it yet. I started it, and liked it, but got distracted (work stress, travel) and now have a pile of psych books that I haven't finished . My brain seems to be rejecting them. Or I'm depressed, ignoring them, and instead binge-watching DVDs of old TV shows .

Thanks for the tip about talking to him. I agree, but I'm also starting to think maybe it really isn't a good fit. It sucks, because I've started to get attached, and there are things I like. And really, I'm not up for T-shopping again. It was *so hard* to get started with this one, and he's the first that I've managed to tell some of my stuff to. I don't want to go through that again!

I'm still considering quitting altogether, and just re-stabilizing myself. It's frustrating to see how much worse off I am when I'm in therapy.

Jo Thorne - love the idea to pretend he's the client. Next time I'm definitely going to pipe up with, "could you tell me more about that?"

Brown Owl - I bet that it's the combination of you and the friend. I can't believe that there are people out there that are so naturally gifted with conversations that they can blossom up any conversation, with any person! It's got to be the chemistry between two people, don't you think?

I'm not sure if it's a technique, I really hope not. If so, I think he would have noticed by now that it tends to shut me down, not make me talk more... he's pretty good, usually, about adjusting... so I'm thinking it's not a technique.

Ha, thanks Hankster! Maybe... but I think he's an OK person. I don't dislike him. He actually can be quite emphatic at time, and even sometimes makes faces (which makes me happy, faces I can deal with). Plus he comments when I make faces back, even though they're usually faces that say, "ewwwww are you kidding me? You will never convince me that sitting in a room full of strangers talking about my problems is a good idea, not in this lifetime buddy!"

Thanks Coco3 - I like him OK, but I don't know about the click. I've seen alot of therapists, and am pretty unclickable with all of them, sadly. That's part of what makes it hard (thinking about quitting) - is there's a lot that's done better than any of the others. I think he's a bit more real, and he's really good at staying non-defensive. But I wish he remembered things better, and wish he'd do a better job at understanding and reflecting back things for me.

Thanks everybody - sorry for not responding more... I'm about to fall over, have to get cleaned up and to bed, it's late here and I have to drive into the office tomorrow Yuck. Wish I could just spend all my time here, and figuring out my life!