My first reaction when I read this was that I'd be annoyed if my therapist was spending my therapy time talking about her neighbors and her opinion of their housing renovations. I'd probably change the subject to something therapy-related.

If your therapist constantly makes references that don't pertain to your life-experiences, maybe you could make a list of facts about your life vs her life that might help her to relate to you better. I think a good therapist would be happy to learn these things, because not only would it help her to relate to you better, but it would probably help her with some of her other clients as well.

The last time I went to my primary care doctor for a blood pressure check, I saw a PA (physician's assistant) who, right after I mentioned that I had been approved for Soc. Sec. disability recently, suggested that I should buy an exercise bike to help me lose weight.

I wanted to say "you must be f-ing joking" because I had just finished telling her about the disability and the kind it was, which is the kind that puts people WAY below the "official poverty line". I guess she just wasn't thinking. I probably should make a "list" for HER.