I'd like some input from anybody here who has realized at some point in therapy that they had become too dependent on their t, had been entertaining false hopes that their t could be a bigger part of their lives than they can actually be -- like a second mom. Perhaps some boundary issues about contact between sessions (either email or phone calls), and -- most importantly -- once you finally realized the truth of the limitations of the therapy relationship and the ultimate pain and letdown, how did you proceed from that point on? Did you take steps to reduce their importance to you emotionally? Did you lessen sessions, or put more effort into making other relationships in real life? Or did you keep the same emotional attachment to your t, but somehow get used to the limits?

I'm at this point now and am wondering what to do. I've given it alot of thought, and I don't feel capable of lessening my painful attachment to her without actually putting forth effort to reduce sessions. I know my t doesn't think that's the best idea. I think she would rather that I continue to see her weeklyl and stay attached, while learning to accept the limits.

But I honestly don't know if it's possible for me to let the feelings of attachment and need stay this strong now that I realize it's just a fantasy. What I want most is to step back from my t emotionally until I can process this very painful reality on my own and accept it. I don't want to talk about it in t anymore. We've talked about it enough, and there is nothing else to be done except for me to adjust to the limits of the relationship and including the fact that my will probably be retiring within the next year or so.

Talking about this painful reality and how it is affecting me hurts too much, and I feel it is on my end to work on acceptance. I admit that withdrawal and avoidance aren't the best ways to work on things. But that's the best way I can detach enough to deal with my disappointment.

Does any of this make sense?