Bill2, I have called a hotline a few times and had mostly unsatisfying results. I found it a bit frustrating because the person on the other end is either trying to provide advice when I just want listening or they try that active listening/reflecting back sort of crap that I can see right through. And I don't find it pleasurable to relate the details of my situation over and over to a different person each time. I actually called a suicide hotline last night which I feel mixed about. A little humiliated, because it feels like such a pathetic thing to do, which I shouldn't say because they certainly serve a need. I didn't like being asked about my suicidal ideations, what I've done and what I think about doing, but he did spend some time distracting me by asking questions about myself, what I do, etc. and that part was OK. It's not the same as talking to your T who already knows your story. I want my T to just take 5 or 10 minutes helping me to grab on to something when it feels like I'm in freefall. It's vastly different.

And thanks, cboxpalace, I'll have to take a look at the link. I'm just not in much of a self-help mode right now.