I think consistency is much more therapeutic. Talk of T's backing off alarms me. We work through things together. I'm sure it is best to ask a therapist directly if they are 'backing off'.

My therapist has replied to every single email I've sent her in the past 9yrs. That's not to boast. Just to point out that backing off isn't necessary. I can't say it's held me back nor taken away my abilty to work things out on my own. I'm if anything more able to work things out.

I think this attitude of being taught a lesson etc or being suddenly ignore to toughen us up is transference. Or a therapist that's out of their depth?