This is such an interesting thread. Thank you for starting it.
It is probably the most important thing for me currently and for the past six or so months when I have experienced so much turmoil, deaths in the family, operations, redundancy, and much more. So, while real life has thrown everything at me in 2013 I have clung on to the consistency of this relationship. However, I think I am now too dependent and it is the relationship itself that is causing me the pain now more than all the real life issues which I seem to be dealing with fairly well. I so desperately crave her approval and want a hug more than anything and feel totally pathetic and needy for wanting this. I too resisted contacting her out of session for about six months then when I felt so despairing the other day I reached out but didn't get the response I was hoping for.

This is such a big area for me. I still haven't resolved it in my head. I love her and need her but I know I am only a client and she is super professional with extremely tight boundaries and the more I show my need and bump up against these boundaries the more distant she is becoming. It's a very painful place to be in, especially as no one else knows I see her so I can't discuss this with anyone.

Thank you for starting this thread. It has been really good to read everyone's take on this massive subject.