Thank you for posting your experiences; it is very brave to return when you feel like quitting and I'm so glad you had a positive experience. (Your post helps me to muster up the courage to do it myself)
I think you are right about therapy. Our relationship with our Ts like having a window into the way we handle relationships generally. When we misunderstand or otherwise have difficulties in the relationship it is eye-opening and gives us an opportunity to learn about ourselves.