I think it's totally okay to ask, even though I haven't technically asked. For the first almost two years, I assumed mine cared about doing a good job, but not necessarily about me specifically. And then it started to feel to me that she did actually care, but instead of asking her, I just said it seemed like she cared and she said Yes, I do care. And then added, a lot.

So it turned out better to feel it in myself before bringing it up, and then it was not as a question, but an observation. In that way, it didn't feel fake because I felt it first. Also, a therapist would have to be a real creep to say No I don't if someone says I think you care about me. So I think it's an all around safer way to bring it up by making an observation than asking...but you kind of have to feel it first. I wouldn't have made an observation like that if I wasn't sure already.

I have no idea if it's seen as attachment. I'm not sure I know what that is, except as a concept.