Mine encourages out of session contact. I can text or ring him and he will ring me back and do some coaching, which generally helps me figure out ways to help myself. Some times I have had to call him a few times a month, but I have gotten much better at managing myself so I need less help now.

I also email sometimes, but I nearly always tell him that I don't need a reply. I use email to either write out a plan for the day if I am having a difficult time, or just vent a little if I am feeling distressed, which seems to help relieve the pressure. He will occasionally reply with something encouraging, but for me the real help is in resetting my mindset by reaching out a little bit.

Outside contact is one of the most useful aspects of this round of therapy. It's really helped me practice managing my mindset, because I feel like it gives me a bit of a floor when I start to get depressed. When I tried therapy with my first therapist with no outside contact, I would often wind up quite distressed for days on end, with no way of knowing how to pull myself out of it. That doesn't happen anymore, and I'm so much better at taking care of myself now.