Here's the e-mail exchange (warning: long!)
Me (Thursday evening): "Hi Dr. T,
Today was one of those "All seemed/felt good to me in session, then I get all weepy on the way home" days (and I've been weepy off and on at home). I was thinking about why I didn't feel as strong of a need to e-mail you after Monday's session, and I think it was because you'd seemed so accepting of what I'd shared, and not disgusted or weirded out, as I'd feared you'd be. I tried to trust how I felt about your reaction in person and not think that the second I walked out the door, you were like, "Ewwww." I think I mostly managed to do that?

But then I thought about another way I coped Monday night, along with typing the list. I ended up hugging a stuffed animal for a while (an okapi--sort of a giraffe/deer/zebra hybrid that we got for D years ago at [local] Zoo store). I'm scared of how you'll react to my saying this, but at the time, I was thinking I wish I'd still had the stone because it would have been comforting to me (though I guess less so after our talk about it...).

I think that maybe part of why I haven't fully delved into the trauma list is that to talk about some of that stuff, I really need to feel safe and secure with you. I guess the whole [topic we discussed Monday] was a testing the waters in a sense. And it felt OK (if scary), you responded very well, were very accepting, asked some good questions, had good insights. And I really appreciate that.

But (you had to know there was a "but" coming), there's also part of me that feels that I have to hold back on talking about certain topics with you. How, if I keep it in certain lanes, it's OK and acceptable and all is good. I feel like I can talk about almost anything with you--as long as it doesn't involve *you.* And that's what concerns me. I'm not just talking about, say, attachment and dependence sort of stuff here. I'm also talking about things like thoughts about, "I wonder if you're having x reaction to what I'm sharing with you. Hm...Is this how I hope any [male], [male authority figure], [other category that you may fit into] person in my life would react? And what's that all about?" But I worry that you will think it's about YOU and get weirded out, so I don't bring it up. But then I think that's also hindering what I could potentially explore.

The thing is, despite what I may have said before, I really don't think this is about YOU in particular. I think it's about what you represent to me, which is someone who is safe and accepting and nonjudgmental. Who can just take what I say and hold it (or contain it or whatever the correct psychological term is). And then, from there, you can help me achieve those goals of being independent and stronger, having more faith in myself, building healthier relationships, etc. But it's like to get there, I first need that safe, secure base, and, ever since the whole stone thing, I'm not entirely sure I have that in you. I don't want to feel like I can talk about x and y with you, but not z.

I'm not talking about being dependent on you like I was with Dr. [Ex-MC]--that was a separate thing, a completely different relationship with its own dynamics. I'm not trying to repeat that, and I know you're not either. And I don't see any inklings of that developing here. However, in working through some of this stuff with you, certain emotions may come up. Your being accepting/understanding of things that others in my past weren't accepting/understanding of--that can lead to powerful emotional reactions. And I need to be able to talk about that, too, without fear of feeling shamed or worrying that you will be uncomfortable.

Sometimes after a particularly good/helpful/insightful session, my thoughts will go toward feeling safe and connected to you, and then this other part of me is like, "no, STOP! Must stay safely distant, so that Dr. [T] will be OK with it. Can't show any signs of connection." But then...I feel that's impeding my sense of safety and thus my progress. I need to feel safe feeling whatever I feel and expressing that. I feel like therapy is the one place I shouldn't have to hold back, yet, because of some things you've said, I feel that I need to. I don't want to have to feel that way. Does all of this make sense? I just want to feel that it's OK to express whatever comes up.

Thanks for reading. If you opt to respond in detail, I accept the charge.
--[LT]"

T (early Friday morning):
"[LT] -
This seems like a great topic for our next session. If you're OK waiting until then, let's talk about it."

Me (late Friday morning): "I suppose it does make sense to just discuss it in session. I think I'm just nervous as to whether you're going to be more like, "We've discussed this multiple times. This is how I am as a therapist--take it or leave it" vs. "I understand why this is important to you in terms of doing the more difficult work. Let's work together to figure out ways I can help you feel more safe and secure." (Or somewhere in between.) And some of that is hard to sit with until Monday. So maybe if you could just give an inkling (without a full response)?

Thanks,
[LT]"

T (30 minutes later): "[LT] - My intention will be to take an understanding view and to have a conversation about your needs with the focus centered on your well-being."

Me (an hour later): "OK, thank you. Hearing that makes me feel better about waiting until Monday."

T (2 hours later): "I'm glad. Enjoy your weekend!"

Me (an hour later): "Thanks, you too!"