[ilikecats]

Usually my T is the one who directs our conversations, and that's how I like it, as I don't often have something specific I want to talk about. But now I do have something to talk about, and I'm not sure how to bring it up. I want to talk to her about shopping, because I've been doing way too much of it lately and I'm worried about the amount of money I'm spending. Sometimes if I need to tell her something, I write a letter, but I'd prefer not to do that this time because it's not super serious and I don't have a lot to say about it. But I do need to talk to her about it and get help. So how do I bring this up? If she starts talking about something else, I don't want to be rude and change the subject. And occasionally she asks me if there's something I want to talk about, but I usually say no, regardless of whether or not I do. I just don't know how to bring up topics or start a conversation about something. Any advice?

[LucyG]

Why don't you just say 'today I'd like to talk about _____' when you first sit down in her office after the saying hello. Don't let her direct everything as you're the client paying the bill. Take some power back....

[unlockingsanity]

Don't let her start the conversation. Usually there is the "how are you" conversation, first right? Say, "I'm good/fine/bad and I have something that I really want to talk about this week."

[BrazenApogee]

I bring in an index card with the questions or topics I want to talk about and put it on the table at the beginning, when I am afraid I might not be able to verbally say what I need to get out.

Remember, you are allowed to say "I don't want to talk about that right now " if they bring up a subject you don't want to talk about. You are also allowed to say "I want to talk about ____."

[ScarletPimpernel]

I email my T saying I'm struggling with x,y, and z. We don't always get to every topic, but she at least knows what's on my mind. I also sometimes keep a list of questions or topics on my phone. I tend to have talk days and question days. She leads talk days, and I lead question days.