The first experiences I had with therapy were very bad. In retrospect my pdoc who doubled as my T was right out of med school and did not have the insight needed to handle my complicated case. I took a ten year hiatus, knowing I was still sick, but preferred to make it through on my own because my therapy experience had been so bad.

I finally ended up inpatient a few years ago, and therapy was required-- otherwise it's very possible I never would have gone back-- the arrangement ended up working well for me though I was very skeptical for a time. My current Ts are competent and have earned my trust, and I'm happy with the work we are doing.