T leading with topics I don't want to talk about

My T is excellent when we get onto a topic I want to talk about, but she usually finds something and sticks with it even when it's not what I want to talk about. I'm used to T's giving me the space and silence to think about what's on my mind but with her she tends to lead with a topic and it causes me to feel awkward and then shut down. I feel I need some space to think about what's going on with me and then start talking myself. I don't know what to do or how/if to say this to her. Anyone have any thoughts?

You should definitely say this to her. Print out your post and hand it over if you don't know quite how to phrase it; what you've written here is just fine.

It can be surprisingly difficult to just shut up and give someone else room to talk; it's just not the way we normally conduct conversation, especially if we're feeling eager to help someone. I'm sure your T will appreciate the reminder.

When she does this could you just tell her you are not in a good place to discuss the topic? Then ask her if you could have a couple of moments put your thought together.

Ts know (or think they know!) that the things you least want to talk about are the things you most need to talk about.

Is it stuff you need to work on, or is it meaningless stuff?

When my T brings up topics I don't want to talk about, I try to say something like "Ask me about something else" or even "I don't wanna talk about that." It's not always easy to do that, but my T always respects my wishes.

I just say that I don't want to talk about it today. Sometimes I repeat it if they keep asking questions or bringing it up.It can be difficult for me to assert myself this way, but I remind myself that it is my therapy.

Do you think you can say something simple, like, "I don't think I'd like to get into that today." Then if there's a specific topic you'd like to discuss, then that would be a good time to be clear with her about what it is you would like to focus on. Once she gets a feel for the topics that you are not comfortable with and which ones are important to you, then this won't be as much of an issue anymore, given that she's a good T.