I think the answer to this one really depends on a lot of different factors. One being, just how close are you to your therapist/counselor, and how much are you comfortable with telling them.. so... how much do they REALLY KNOW about you? Even if they do know a lot about you, has it made an impression and do they remember what it was at the next & future visits? A good therapist will remember things you tell them about yourself because although some of these revelations seem very insignificant to others, they are of upper most importance to us and SHOULD BE to our psychs as well!
Just because a person has gone to school and recieved a degree does not nessessarily make them quailfied, or knowledgeable. Remember, they READ about our and other's experiences and like everyone else, they can only TRY to IMAGINE what it would be like to experience the disorders and their symptoms that we have. Most always, they will 'go by the book' and treat us accordingly... let's face it, just as with medications, what will do miracles for some people will do damage to others. We are not all alike!!
I have been in and out of professionals offices since I was 17 & I'm almost 52 (YIKES!!) so I may not be any wiser, but I certainly have a little bit of experience! I will watch & analyse them just as much as they watch & analyse me, & after those few visits, if I am still not comfortable, if I'm confused, or unhappy about anything, I find someone new. It's that simple, & I've done it more than a few times. You should feel satisfied & hopeful with your visits. I learned that psychs watch your eyes & it has made me very uncomfortable.... I rarely look anyone in the eyes when I speak to them because of my phobias, this sorta-kinda makes them 'not there' & makes me ABLE to continue speaking---BUT---a professional has learned that when a patient doesn't look them in the eyes, they aren't telling the entire truth! I cleared this up with my present psych immediately, and I have been seeing her for over 2 years now, and I am so comfortable with her that I CAN look at her face, eyes, whenever I speak to her. :wink:
Bombcat.. I DO hope you can sort this all out. I wish you a lot of luck with what you are experiencing at the present with your therapist! Best of wishes to you!