I saw my therapist for the first time today after me being in the hospital and her being on vacation...I was SO nervous and felt terribly guilty about her being contacted while away and like she was going to hate me.

I came in and one of the first things she said was, "I have really been looking forward to seeing you today"

I didn't know how to respond...she's never said anything like that, and I can't fathom how it can be true when I've bothered her so much. I finally blurted out, "How can you say that?!?" and she responded, "Because I enjoy your company, and this week especially I've been looking forward to seeing you"

How do you know if your t is being genuine?? I mean, I know my t is an amazing, caring person, I don't think that she would outright lie, but I just can't believe she wasn't saying those things out a sense of duty and because she knows I've been having such an awful time...

Has anyone else had a similar experience? And if so, how did you trust that they really meant what they were saying? Or do you think therapists say things like this sometimes just to make us feel better?