How did she respond?

How long have you been seeing this T? I am recalling correctly that it hasn't been too long? If that's the case, I think that might be why the discussion of your interactions and relationship was disappointing. It just takes time to build that. I do think it is worth having a T who "gets" you, and I hope you will hold on to that goal. I definitely think the T being pessimistic is a perception to share. You said you spoke to your T about that. Did she agree? I think a T who is disempowering would not be very therapeutic for me. I also think some people's language is more cautious than others--they are understated. So when your T said you were surviving at work, maybe she meant you are doing OK. It takes time to get to know each other! Or maybe she did mean to not pump you up too much. But why?

You said up until the discussion about your and your T's interactions that it was going well. So it sounds like there may be quite a bit of good there to salvage. I think it merits further discussion with your T. Why did the discussion go down hill when the topic was switched? Does your T also think that is what happened?

I think having a curious attitude can help in cases like this. When your T says you're surviving at work, instead of rushing to defend yourself and get into a disagreement about how you actually are doing at work, make it about process and feelings. "When you used the word 'surviving' just now, I felt like you don't think I'm doing too well at work--just getting by. I felt hurt, because I think I've been doing really well lately, and it was hard to have you not recognize or acknowledge my success." I wonder what your T would say to that?