Thanks, Velcro. I know he's very different from ex-MC, but I still get scared, especially when I start to feel connected. Or in this case, where he said the exact same thing that ex-MC used to.

To explain more about the second thing, I'm sure his parting words were completely innocuous. It was that he commented that he never considered how his parting words affected clients. This will make more sense with the full exchange, I think, so:

Me last night: "Dear T,
I just feel a need to reach out. It was a helpful and intense session today, and I've been emotional off and on since (currently: on). I think part of it was--I'm sure this was just coincidence--but your parting words to me today were the same thing that Dr. Ex-MC usually said to each of us when we left: "It was good to see you." And I don't think you've ever used that closing with me, so it was a bit jarring. It took me back to the offices across the street from you for a second. It always felt nice that he would say that to us, individually, as he shook our hands. It seemed like he meant it. Yet it's also one of those things that, in retrospect, I question the sincerity of. I hate that I'm now questioning things like that. We can discuss Thursday.

Thank you for helping me work through this loss and for validating my grief. Having you listen and bear witness and validate is helping me to process and to heal. It's still pretty scary, though..."

T this morning: "Thanks for sharing this, LT - and we can discuss if more on Thursday as you suggest. It's interesting you point out my "parting words..." - I've never really thought much about what impact those words might have, but it's worth thinking about now that you bring it up - they're the last thing a client hears before leaving, after all."