Since I always comment how your T works similar to mine, I'd say ask about school of thought. Like my T, yours seems to use the object relations approach heavily. (Note that some people confuse this with Freudian; not necessarily on this thread but in general. There really are very few Freudian analysts out there, if they still even exist. Maybe in NYC.)

Analysts who primarily work from the object relations approach seem to be more exploratory, while those who work from the self psychology and relational psychoanalyst approach seem to be more supportive while employing the exploratory approach. Psychoanalysts usually incorporate an amalgamation of approaches, but these are conclusions from analyzing patterns and materials as well as different analytic Ts; just something I've picked up on over the years.

My bet is that your T referred you to those who use the self psychology and/or relational approach. Just to clarify--the object relations approach is not the same as the relational approach. My T seems to be trying to work more like a relational psychoanalyst now, which was new to him. It has made a huge difference. This may not be a big deal to everyone, but I have a heavy trauma background.

This, imo, is the one question that informs me about how the T works.

PS: Good luck! Any time I scoped out other Ts, I'd get disappointed and always went back to my T. Sometimes the grass seems greener on the other side but when you get there, you realize it is not.

PPS: I realized I may have sounded code-ish again. When I refer to exploratory, I mean drawing feelings out from you; this involves more withholding to generate more transference and come to conclusions. It also involves work with defense mechanisms and arriving at truths and insight. Supportive meaning more 'gratifying' and warm and involves feel good stuff to some extent. My T would probably argue that all therapy is supportive, but this is terminology I use to apply certain concepts to compare and contrast techniques and working styles.