Well, I will be a total escapist and admit that therapy is my joy in life, not a means to an end. If this therapy I'm enjoying now cures me, so much the better. If it doesn't, I will go to the next one. I know that's totally deplorable, irresponsible, manipulative, and selfish. I had a serious mental illness and suffered terribly, and I'm a lot better now. I agree with StopDog somewhat about life being mostly frustrating, though I do have religious beliefs that rescue me from total despair. But it's only with a therapist that I ever get to talk about myself or anything, in any depth at all. I certainly haven't gotten to the stage where giving to others in my community is just as good as talking about my self! Maybe someday, but not now. I refuse to feel guilty if I stay in therapy the rest of my life, if that's all that gives meaning to it.