It seems like everyone here is able to text, email, or call their therapists whenever they want. I've been in psychotherapy for 28 years and I've never been given phone numbers or email addresses. I never thought to ask. I think what you're going through may be the reason why I would never want it that way. I would feel insecure all the time, wondering why she didn't return my text, or what does she think of me now, etc.. In order for therapy to be successful for me, I need to have that boundary set - I pay her to see me in her office and I know she cares about me, so she's not going to kick me out. This goes with my psychiatrist too, who has most often been my therapist.

So, to answer your question, if I allowed my therapy to continue outside the office then I would be hurt, but from a perceived rejection. I don't think she was really rejecting you, but I would have felt the same way. I completely relate to what you are saying - I used to have that diagnosis and I probably still would if I hadn't gone manic when I was 25.

If your relationship with your therapist becomes unhealthy then I would find somebody else to see and I would set that boundary and go to support groups for support outside of the therapists office. But I think that in itself may be a good topic for you to discuss with your therapist - healthy/unhealthy therapeutic relationships, how this relationship can be made more healthy, etc.. A large part of this diagnosis is unhealthy relationships. The one you have with your therapist should be based on a healthy model, and your therapist should be the one to make sure that is how it is.