hmm. i have trouble with the CBT thing too.

what kind of a hand / overt sign that is safe would help?

is it that you don't find him to be very warm / emotionally responsive?

i'm not sure what he is thinking with respect to not trying to get you to connect emotionally with what has happened to you. maybe he doesn't want to push you before you are ready.

have you tried telling him that you find it hard to emotionally connect with what you are saying? he might be able to help you connect if you tell him that you are ready to try and do that. part of it is about... trying to connect with what you are saying. my t doesn't prompt me very much about my feelings... if i deny them he will likely say 'ok' even though it is obvious to him (and me later) that i was denying what was apparent. dunno...