I think what I wished she had done was express that she cared about or could commiserate with my frustration. I missed the feeling of being heard. It felt like she just didn't care, and didn't know why I bothered to bring it up at all. She just kind of sat there and waited for me to say something else.

But then, when I said I was stressed out about work, she wanted to jump in and offer 10 different suggestions-- when I didn't want any. In my view, being stressed out about work is also something that I can't do anything about. Until I finish the book I am writing, I'm just going to be stressed about it and it is going to occupy my thoughts. Sure, I can give myself breaks and plan fun outings that will take my mind off it for a little while, but my overall level of stress is just a reality. Breathing slowly or focusing on a "happy thought" is not going to get my book finished any faster, and it's not really something I want her input on. Really, I was just answering her question like "yes, being a professor, teaching classes, writing grant apps, writing a book and editing a journal is indeed stressful."

Clearly, I'm just frustrated with her/therapy. I also tried to see if she had any thoughts/feedback for me on dating (in my view, the other people in my demographic seem to suck)-- but she didn't really have anything to say about that, either. There may be nothing to say. But, at the very least, I would have appreciated something like "yeah, it really does suck! A lot of my clients also think that it sucks" or "It really is hard in this geographical area" or something. I hate the silent, blank stare.

I guess I just wanted to make sure I'm not being overly critical of her since she doesn't really know me or what I'm looking for yet. But I really do think she just isn't the right fit.