No, far from distracting, the clock really focuses me to get through all I need to -- I start watching it every 4-5 mins when there's about 30 mins left in the 55-mins session.

The last 5 mins are the hardest because I don't want to come up with new stuff and often there's nothing else to say on the stuff we've already discussed. I used to just leave at that time but she then started pointing out that 5 mins were left. Then, I'd grit my teeth and try to time the stuff I had to say until there were about 3 mins left before taking my leave but then she started pointing out again that there was time left and did I want to stay / leave?

It's like an exercise in exponentially escalating awkwardness because she's absolutely stock-still and dead silent and just sitting there watching me stew in my awkwardness. And, I have nothing to say but feel immense pressure to say something because the silence feels overwhelming and intense.

She tried doing the eye-contact thing with me once during this time and that was unparalleled hell (and of course, to make matters worse, she pointed out my discomfort with it). So, yeah, right now, I blurt out random crap (like truly random stuff) in the last couple of minutes and then heave a sigh of relief when the clock hits the 55-min mark and get the heck out.

I think it annoys the crap out of her that I watch the clock because she has commented (in a rather irritated tone) that it's "interesting" that I do it so often.