My T is a trauma specialist so he does not focus primarily on short term therapy but he has said if he is still seeing someone in ten years then he is not doing his job.

I had a difficult session a week ago and I actually asked him yesterday if he was frustrated with me. He repaired the rupture but he did say he was a little bit frustrated because he would rather work on me getting better over the relationship. He said the relationship is important too so it needed to be addressed.

My T has said many times that it is his ethical duty to refer me if I have not made any progress each year. He said not me, but many people go to therapy just to chit chat each week and lean on the T for support without making any improvements. He says that some therapists will continue to take their money each week, but it is not ethical and he will not do that because he wants to see people get better. He is very goal oriented and although I don't always like him pushing me, I know he has the best intentions and I have made a lot of progress.

Even in the best of situations, with my issues he has said I will probably need 5-10 years of therapy. I don't know if I will last that long but I continue to try to work hard and know that he will refer me if I do not make any progress.