Oops. I did not see that you responded before my post, my apologies.

I'm Glad it went well for you. Do you still think she smokes? I only wonder because I find myself making all kinds of assumption about my T, only to realize how much of that was my own projections. Some of it I'm correct about but often, I'm just seeing my own desire to have her be like me.

Therapists are specialized in making us feel okay with ourselves and that involves active listening. Sometimes my T is so interested, it seems she's of the same ilk, but really she's just validating my own interest.

Also, I know a couple of therapists in 'real life' as friends and they're very good at empathizing to a point they make you believe they really share the same opinions or interests but may have never had that experience themselves.