I think Ts often interpret not looking as a resistance, a distancing, a negating--somehow a pushing them away, which it may be. Some personalize it. But I spent years being unable to look at my T more consistently than a brief glancing. But it wasn't a lack of emotional connection at all. My connection was through his voice. The not meeting his gaze was a self-protective defense, not from him, but from myself and the feelings experienced by his recognition of me. Earlier in therapy, when my defenses were strong, I had no problem looking at him consistently. It was later, as my other defenses weakened, that the need for self-protection--which I guess is a more primal defense--appeared. Although my T addressed it, he didn't force the issue. I think he saw it as a sign of progress in a way; a sign that therapy was on course and the process was working its way through.