My T has always directly told me she likes me. For 6 years. When we talked about my crying if she dies before I do, she told me that she would cry if I died. She says she has a special place in her heart for me.

None of my past T's ever told me anything like that. One said I had likable qualities when I asked her. I never got close enough to them to ask if they would miss me after I quit. I do think that Ts remember their clients, though. My DBT leader once pulled out her old letters and notes from past clients and she became emotional. Therapy is not your typical "I hire you and we do the job and it's over" kind of relationship. Usually there is a deep and strong connection.