Just want to add that my T had very strict boundaries when I started therapy, and *I* had very strict boundaries as well. I wanted him to be this non-person who sat in that chair in that office 24/7. The thought of hearing ANYTHING - like, literally, ANYTHING - about his life outside of the office completely freaked me out. If he had ever touched me, even for a handshake, I would have freaked.

My need for strict boundaries was so strong that he would warn me before he did anything at all...like "I am going to get out of my chair and walk over to the desk for the receipt".

I've been seeing him twice a week for 3 1/2 years, and like ellie said, the boundaries have changed over time. I needed to learn to trust T and he needed to develop trust in me.

I *would* have a hard time with the no contact between sessions. I didn't contact him much at the beginning at all, but it helped to know I COULD if I needed to. I had never been in therapy before, so I didn't know what was "normal". Now that I have been in therapy, I'm pretty sure that if I ever have to look for a new therapist (ack! ), availability between sessions would be something I wanted, even if I never needed to use it.

I don't know if that's helpful, but that's my .02