such a good point, Pachy. I think I have an ongoing issue of not feeling whole, of needing someone else to complete me. So when I think about losing T, maybe I feel like I'm losing me, too? I'm working on that. And you are right, my T time may or may not be running out, but my ME time isn't anymore.

Improving, thanks for your perspective. I like your idea of both of you writing letters at certain points in your journey together!

You are right about my T and the DBT protocols. She adheres pretty strictly to them, but there is always room for the unexpected. I am entering my 3rd year of DBT and we have moved well into stage 2. That's not to say that there aren't moments or days when I am squarely back in stage 1, of course.

I think DBT can work for people long term, but most of the literature is focused on the first year. That's what the studies are based on and what Linehan's books focus on, but I don't think Linehan herself intends for DBT to stop at the end of one or two years. There just hasn't been the time or inclination to focus yet on DBT as a long term therapy.