As you recognize, it is good to "trigger the panic". You have to be aware of something before you can do anything with it.

I mostly thought of my intense feelings as "being along for the ride" in my relationship with my T. Feelings change over time as other things get resolved. I don't think you'll ever stop "loving" your T or being appreciative of the work you and she are doing together but think of a teacher or other adult you loved in elementary school and how you think of her now? Anyone who "cares" for us we are positively attached to -- parents, husbands, good friends, therapists. As you become emotionally better able to care for yourself, you won't have such an intense attachment to your therapist.