"i feel like i was just starting to feel like he was there and that i mattered, and now it's being removed...."

Perhaps you can tell him this like you told us and suggest that yes, he can remove the life line at a certain set time... not now. so like have him allow you calls up until such date. maybe come up with a top number of calls this week can have, then 2 less next week, then 2 less the week after.... and meanwhile have him (like sunrise said) practice the skills in session that he wants you to use onece the phone is nixed....???
I also am grrrrrrr at your t!!! and Soli's t, also. a big hippo grrrrrrr.