I like LT's policy and perspective on emailing. I do think it's fair for T's to charge for a substantial response as well as to limit responding so their time is protected. Like phone calls.

Most T's, if they have much experience, received no training on how to handle emails and by that I mean doing therapy via email, in the substantive way that LT's therapist handles things. Maybe there are CLE's on the issue but doing therapy via email (as in responding substantively) is a whole nother ball of wax than therapy in real time. Email has an impact different than in person communication, so does text, and both have the potential to go off the rails for all kinds of reasons. I'm glad there are therapists who can make this work for clients and I can see how this kind of outside contact is good for people. It isn't my thing and in my professional context, tend to think about whether phone v. email is preferable in certain situations.

But I have received free phone contact, at times very often and substantial from my T. I did talk about expectations around this such as how quickly I could expect him to call back and how much was too much and whether certain topics were off limits.