From what I've read here, and from my own experience, I think this is pretty normal! I also think it's a good thing, and the therapeutic relationship is healing. I think my T encouraged me to see her this way, too.. I fought it for SOOOOO long, though.. (similar reasons to what you describe: fears of rejection and abandonment etc..) I don't think I managed to say much about it face to face, I just couldn't, so it went in email..