1. How do you be more open?
I don't know what's different for me this time, but I feel much more open and honest. Maybe it's from hitting bottom for the umpteenth time and not wanting to hold back. Or just having had a good relationship with my therapist from the start. I would call it more being honest than being open. Sharing painful experiences doesn't necessarily do as much for my progress as working through how I feel about myself as a result and where that shows up today.

2. How do you lead therapy?
I almost always take in a list of things going on that I'm struggling with.

3. How do you convey emotions when you have the ability to smile even when you're sad?
I laugh a lot, and my therapist does too, but she still sees and comments on the underlying pain. So I guess I don't do anything to convey emotion other than just be myself. My therapist doesn't miss any nuance and I can read her pretty well most of the time, except when she has her evaluating mask on, which I tell her always throws me. She says she'll need to watch herself in a mirror to figure out what I'm seeing.

I think you've got a chance for some real growth with this therapist. The experience is challenging for you in a different way, it seems. That can be really good.