My experience has been this. I remember explicit details of my initial therapy appointments. I think this was because I was very anxious and all my senses were on high alert. What I actually said was closely screened and analyzed before being said. My brain seemed to record ever word spoke and I replayed the recording over and over and over again in my head. I think part of this was my tendency to want to prepare a scripted set of possible responses of the follow-up sessions. I'm a freak I know!

Now that I've chilled out a bit our exchanges seem a bit more extemporaneous. I don't seem to be remembering as much of the details.

Maybe we can't be focused on specific content details AND be receptive to the non-verbal cues and internal sensations all at the same time.

I feel better during the sessions now, which is good. But I think I liked having the mental playback available when I want it.

Maybe there is a way to capture the attention to detail (ability to focus) that visceral fear affords without actually being so scared that you can't relax and be in the moment.