My T recently asked if I'd like to be able to call and leave messages with her. She would listen to them and if I want a call back to say so in the message and she will call me back when she can.

I think the calls have been helpful. Just having the option is, in itself, helpful to me. She knows because I've told her that sometimes I have thoughts I think I'd like to share but by the time session day rolls around the thoughts seem petty, stupid, unimportant, trivial... so I don't share them. Or, I just plain forget. So I think she's encouraging me to speak when it strikes me like the free association we do in session.

I have also called her in crisis and I think it's been very important to the relationship to be able to connect with her at that time. Even if I wait for a call back (instead of using the cell which is for emergencies--something I don't like to do) it's helpful; I get to sit with my uneasiness a while, have doubts about her calling back, then get the relief and reassurance that comes with her calling. I think that's therapeutic and I'm very grateful for it as well.