Who talks first?

mine just collapses into his chair and gawps at me

I think it's always my T who talks first, she always seems to get "Hiii" in before I can, and then there's usually something about the weather or something outside while she turns lamps and lights on and off, adjusts the shades, sits down, and then "So how've you been?" or some variation on that. And then we're on a roll. And I'm so glad - I couldn't have gone to see a T that would just sit in silence and gawp, that would feel too awkward for me. Now we know each other better, little natural silences feel okay.

After T calls me from the waiting room, there's the standard "Hi". T always talks first by either asking "Tell me about the last two weeks" or "What do you want to talk about today?" It is routine and I like that. I know how each session is going to start. I don't have to worry that t is going to throw me any curve balls at the start - she might later on, but never at the start.

he says hi, i say hi and then he asks whats going on...
he used to just say hi and then i would say hi and then silence, kinda like i needed his permission to talk and if he asks me a question then it is okay to talk and then we are off...

We both go back and forth.