I think there's a difference in the type of relationship echos has to her therapist and the level of work they're doing, and that it's even different for him from the kind of relationship he has with other clients. He's been willing to go deeper into things and that means he's going to bump up against his own conflicts and fears and be honest with echos about that. So this exchange seems to me to be more than just telling a therapist they're like a parent and having them accept that. He is responded in a way that wasn't in therapist mode, and it's causing a disruption. He needs to (and will, based on the past) explore what's going on for him and echos needs to (and will) get to a pattern that's being triggered. Most therapists won't do this kind of work. They have to put a lot more of themselves on the line, but I see in echos case that her therapist is showing her a lot of trust in return. I guess that's what I would keep reminding myself if I were her.