I think you have to ask your T what he is doing and why? I wouldn't second guess him. If he says you can come as often as you want to and you want to still come every week, I would do that. I don't think I would do something for myself (therapy) in a way that was for someone else! (therapist).

The timer would distract me. Are you sure it is not just to remind him when there's only a few/10 minutes left of the session so you both can wind down?

I don't think good therapists use "tricks" but are direct in what they want, what rules they have, how often you "should" come, etc. If you have just "decided" you think he wants you to come less often, I would talk about that with him, why you have decided that and not go to less often if you don't want to and he doesn't suggest you do so.