Therapists are often in situations where it seems that there are two (or a few) possible answers and all have antitherapeutic drawbacks. Rather than give an antitherapeutic answer, the therapist can make a process comment. For example, the T could have said something along the lines of It matters deeply to you what I think of you; I feel a little like I am being put on the spot; I am touched that you noticed the depth of my feelings; etc.

I don't think that the question was manipulative. I see it as a genuine expression of the feelings that growlithing experiences, feelings that the T must be able to address therapeutically.