Maybe with the way she has been acting - more supportive and all - this won't be as big as a problem as before. You said you used to see her as rigid and unkind, but now that she has shown some care and has lessened the boundaries, maybe it will be easier for you to express yourself more. If you're more comfortable with her, maybe you can be more comfortable with the situation.

Either way, I think you've definitely shown that you WANT to be there and that you WANT to start working on issues and that is definitely progress and it sounds like it is progress she is noticing too!