Thanks everyone. I'm still a little on the fence about trying to send an email. It's not that I want to cut my dad out of my life... I just want him to make some kind of an effort, so it's not 100% on me. Heck, even 15%, 20% - I could meet him there. But, it doesn't feel right to me that it's 100% my responsibility. This is helping me get my head clear for when I next see T, so thank you for that... I guess it's going to be on the list of stuff to discuss.

Music Junkie - Thanks... YES! to feeling bitter about having to be the one to keep the relationship intact, and YES! to feeling like my family doesn't care about my issues. You're right, that's a biggie for me too... the fact that I've gone through all kinds of crap and neither of my parents have really "been there" for me. Seriously, my dad is a *counselor* - but doesn't have any idea about the amount of therapy (and "attempted therapy) I've been through!

"If they don't want to keep in contact, then that tells me I shouldn't waste my time hunting them down." - thanks, this is how I feel as well. I'm not saying, "I'll never talk to him again" - just that it needs to be a 2-way relationship.

IrisBloom - THANKS! I appreciate the validation...

SnakeCharmer - ooh thank you, I really appreciate the perspective and validation.

ChipperMonkey - thanks, I hadn't really thought through that my therapist might have an across the board belief that people should always stay in touch with their parents. I think I'm going to have to bring this up with him to clarify. It's actually weird, there was alot that went well in that session (I was just re-reading some notes I made), but b/c of the dad stuff - I lost most of that. So definitely need to have a talk about all this with him. (And sorry about your mom... it's so tough to deal with crazy parents... ! )

Thanks...