i have been in counseling for...well, a very long time. it is your choice what to talk about. have you shopped around for the counselor that best fits your needs? you don't have to stay with one who is not really meeting what you want. often, while we don't want to stay stuck in the past forever, it is really important to discuss the past...even if that takes years. discussing can lead to healing....and ignoring can lead to being even more stuck in your head about those events. yes, it is important to move on, but first you have to address what happened to you, and your feelings surrounding them...which of course make you who you are today. i don't know what you have gone through, but if any of it is traumatic, you might try "traumatic incident reduction" (commonly known as TIR). it is a short term very intense therapy where you talk and talk about the past. like the title says, it is "reduction" not a cure. but, it can really help you cope with the past and move on into today. it has changed my life in two months. and i was trapped in the past.

My therapist was a life saver for me and i always loved going to her because she made me always feel like things would get better for me! She pointed me in the direction of a really good rape counselor and that saved my life literally!

I have been very lucky......the Clin Psych I see is wonderful and her life experience, and of course her professional experience has helped me so much.
I can say what I feel to her...no subject is off topic...if i want to say it....I can.
Funny thing....I felt i could trust her the day she came out with a few swear words with how she felt about a subject we were discussing. :) It was then I knew I could say anything to her.
The connection is amazing...very similar in many ways. We did at the beginning have a hard time of becoming too close to each other, as I coincidentally moved through exactly the same problems she had or was having.....but that was very professionally turned around, where she made sure that, I am the client to be listened too and she is the therapist who runs the session for all my benefit and helps me work through things bit by bit.
My only problem....as I have abandonment and attachment issues.....I am attached to her so much.
She knows it and works through it with me all the time.
Hopefully you will find someone out there, who will be good therapist.

Hi there KarlWilson,I would do exactly like you. Why go and see a Dr that you feel 'doesn't have a clue?' Pffft,Pffft
Why don't you take your mental wellbeing into your own hands and find yourself a Dr that you click with,respect and agree with his/her style of treatment?.

I'm starting with a new therapist on the 25th. I'm very excited about it.