I think abandoning ftf would be a step backward in therapy. Could it be you are trying to avoid the pain of needing him so much, which is intensified when you see him ftf? You already do email him a lot, as well as see him ftf. Sounds like you're trying to cut back to protect yourself.

Nice try, alex! No seriously, I am sorry the ftf meetings are so hard for you. I hope you won't give them up. Maybe he will let you close your eyes sometimes when you are together. (I mean, how could he prevent you from doing that anyway, if it got too intense and you felt you had to do it?)

Hope you feel better soon.

Take care,
sunny

P.S. I would never do a phone session! I cannot say anything meaningful to anyone over the phone. The phone would immediately make a conversation very superficial for me.