I have finally been able to open up to my counselor about secrets, bad memories, repressed memories, and all that fun stuff. It started slow, very slow. But that's how you build confidence and trust. Unfortunately, once I started it opened up some doors I didn't realize were there and yet it wasn't as bad really. Like letting pressure out of flood gates or something. There's more back there but it's getting less difficult.
I cannot understate the healing power of just getting things out of your head and starting to let go. Nothing happens overnight but things feel better very quickly. It's like your universe knows your keeping this heavy stuff bottled up and rewards you for letting it out.
It really helps to remind yourself that EVERYONE has secrets and EVERYONE has things they regret in their past. You are absolutely not the only one.