To be honest, there are some people in my life who I care about (friends and even family) I wouldn't meet the criteria you've outlined with cards and whatnot and talking to them even 45 minutes a week.

I think therapy can be closer and more personal than a lot of relationships, how many people really take the time to listen to you for 45 minutes each week? And out of those people how many of them aren't getting something from you, whether it be mutual support, an intimate relationship, etc. There are a lot of forms of currency in the world. Getting hung up on the financial can mess with perceptions.

I'm not in any doubt as to whether or not my therapist cares. Having said that, I'm also not in much doubt that the one I had before wasn't really that invested.

Some therapists are going to care more than others, some are going to show it in ways you can appreciate it more than others. However, what they won't do is mimic the format of other relationships in your life. Wanting them to be something other than therapists is a huge source of pain, and I think sometimes it even eclipses the ability to appreciate what they can do uniquely as therapists.