My T has said on a few occasions that she feels like a "momma bear" and wishes she could protect me. Usually, she says this in reference to things that happened to me when I was a child but, a couple of times, she has said it in the present tense. Usually, I really like it because it makes me feel cared about and it shows me-- just for a split second-- what it might be like to have a mom. My T is the closest thing I've ever had to a maternal figure, and I like feeling as though she can fill some of that (as opposed to nothing/no one).

Recently, however, she used this expression to refer to a situation that happened with an older woman when I was 18-22. I told her very assertively that I did not need or want protection in that situation. I was an adult, I went into that situation consciously and voluntarily, and it was one of the best relationships of my life. I told her that there are a thousand other people/situations I wish I had protection from, but that was not one of them. My T actually apologized, and said that she would instead offer me her protection the next time I genuinely needed it. I really appreciated her saying that.