I've never had a T actually say "I allow you to do x" or give me permission to do anything. I've heard people say it in the context Nowhere uses, where the T says it as a reality check and not to be taken literally. Sometimes it's just conversational and said with a sense of humor, as in "you are allowed to get angry, you know".

I think when I see it on PC that Ts don't "allow" outside contact or hugs, I think the phrasing is coming from the poster's perspective and not always the T. Maybe some Ts do talk this way, but I also think it's also said when the T won't give something that a client wants and it sgifts the dynamic.