In my psych case study book, there is a case where the therapist is making slow progress with a client and the turning point comes when he loans her $500 so that she won't get kicked out of her apartment before an alternative funding source kicks in for her. The case noted that this completely goes against what therapists are taught about boundaries, but yet it was instrumental in moving this therapist-client team forward. The client realized that if her T would loan her $500, he really cared for her and she could really trust him, which had been a big issue for her, and had prevented significant progress in therapy. After this, their relationship blossomed and they made faster progress. The book made the point that sometimes "rules" can be bent and huge gains result. Every case is individual and the T needs to make those important decisions on what would be beneficial or harmful.

I think one thing that probably divides a really good therapist from an OK one is how good they are at this. I think some of this flexibility will come with experience--a newer T may want to "play it by the book" for some time until he/she has a good grasp of when and with whom to be flexible. Blue, it sounds like your T had the experience and wisdom to know that helping you would not be harmful.