I've only had one T who I saw for @ 11 years, and I haven't been in therapy since (@ 16 years ago when he retired). We've had sporadic contact over the years, but also periods with no contact. I had usually contacted him when I had significant news. He never initiated contact with me, but always responded. I stopped several years ago just because I felt closure and sort of thought it was the appropriate thing to do (he had never indicated either way).

About 1 1/2 yrs ago I suddenly found myself thinking about him rather persistently. A very uneasy feeling about him. I was concerned enough that I wrote to him (snail mail as it had been 10 years, and I had no e-mail address for him). He responded, and it turned out he was facing a terrible crisis in his family. We've been in touch since and have committed to remaining in touch.

But it is a boundaried relationship, and we both respect boundaries. It's been a process discovering where the boundaries are, just as in any relationship, as they are not the same boundaries as in therapy. Why I'm staying in touch mostly is that I care about him and his welfare. I also like him. I enjoy our exchanges, and he has said that he does, too.