I feel for you; I was there too in a way. First it's hard to have such long breaks so that should be acknowledged as something difficult for anyone. Being in therapy can be painful especially when things start sticking out. The problems seem more intense and thick than any "solution" could possibly manage. But sticking with it is part of the "solution" and trusting the process, which seem to. I mean I don't hear you wanting to bail so that's good.

For me I started therapy up with 3 different therapists over more than a decade. Each time I was actually going over stuff I thought I had already worked through. But the current therapist had a substantially different approach and I saw intuitively that it would be worth it to go through it again with him. We do have to undergo something like an operation, which is painful and requires recovery time, but in the end is the best way through something.

I echo those who say it's never too late. I'm starting a new career in my 50s. And for the first time in my life feeling like myself and liking that. I used to think that I had wasted half of my life to doing the wrong things and being ill, but now I'm just excited about where I am and where I'm going.

I'm influenced by knowing lots of older people who have active and productive lives after retirement age. My husband is one. I didn't meet him until he was 58 and we've been together for almost 30 years. I've watched how someone older just keeps going and keeps young and active.

I do understand the feeling that things have slipped by like time itself, but please listen to those who have been there and don't say "it's never too late" as just a slogan. People actually mean it and have lived it. They aren't invalidating your feelings, just trying to say that there are other ways to look at it and separate paths for each person so don't shoot yourself in the foot just because you feel like time has passed. The amount of time you've been in therapy isn't really that long yet. It may feel long to you, but some of us have been in therapy for years and years. I'm not saying it takes that long to see progress. You have already made lots of progress in a short time. You may not want or need therapy for as long as others. I myself will do therapy as long as I live because I like it. It's not a question of symptoms or anything. It's just a special kind of intimacy that I love and a place to explore with another person who is paid to be extra careful and attentive. I feel more understood and authentic there than anywhere. Or at least it helps me stay authentic in the rest of my life. That is priceless and very much worth it to me.