Reading the threads on this forum I can see that T's have different policies regarding this. I can only tell you that my T doesn't even acknowledge email, unless it concerns scheduling. He's been in private practice for a long time, and says that he has seen too many misunderstandings - sometimes with serious consequences, such as court cases - that have stemmed from "email therapy." So his policy is that he does read all email, but will not reply. I've only sent 3 emails in 14 months, and sometimes I really really wish he could just say a few words. I know that it's painful when you need that connection between sessions. It would be doubly painful if you had that privilege and then it was taken away. I'd feel rejected, even if my head understood and accepted it.

And yes, I think you're probably right that he's trying to prepare you for the independence of ending therapy, to sort of force you to rely on yourself inbetween sessions. It really sounds like he's got your best interests at heart here, so try not to feel it as a rejection.