I am in Psychoanalysis a so called 'transference based therapy'. I believe Schema therapy is transference based too. I used almost the exact analogy in session. A small boat getting knocked about in open water, waiting for the coastguard. The coastguard came, then left again without me then never fully came back, even after a year. For me, it started out as distrust, then I think it was the experience of extreme gratitude to him for making me feel better with all his empathy and validation that made me feel 'rescued'. But then, it felt like reality hit me in the face and I realized he was only human and I started feeling let down and now abandoned. Or, to follow along with the analogy - the coast guard decided to put me back on my little boat - they didn't completely abandon me, they just sat there a few metres away watching me get tossed about. Trying to decide if I was worth rescuing or not. Kind of like neglectful parenting - they are present but not really there for you.

I suggest you try to find a pattern in it as you go along. No doubt it will eventually miimic something in your other relationships.