Moonkin, I am sorry you had a rough session. It sounds to me like your T has tried to give you the care you need but it has become too much for her and she needs to renegotiate the boundaries, in order for the relationship to continue. Maybe you can see her sometimes so-direct-they-hurt comments as an effort by her to preserve the relationship, with changes that are essential to its continuation (from her point of view).

To me, it sounds like the issue is not so much the money, but that you said or did something that made her feel that you think she doesn't care for you. To her, it sounds like the fact that she gives you a huge discount on therapy "proves" she cares for you and she is upset you don't appreciate all that she does for you. I could very well be wrong though--you were there and saw it all.

Well, you probably knew that. What is the point of her telling you this? Is it to emphasize that she really does care for you a great deal (or else she wouldn't give you such a large discount)? Or is to tell you that she now wants you to pay the full fee?

She's trying to establish some new boundaries. Did you recently try to contact her outside of session by email or phone? During her vacation with family? If so, she may be reacting to this. Maybe she can put some firmer boundaries in place so that she can remain in the relationship. Maybe she will want no phone calls or emails outside of session, or a set number. (I'm not sure what her policy has been up until now.)

I hope you will give her a chance and go to therapy with her again. From many of your past posts, your T comes off as very caring--a great person to have in your life. I hope you can keep her there.

I think when she asked you if you would be coming back, maybe she felt you might not like new boundaries from her and wouldn't want to do therapy with her under those circumstances. So she was giving you a chance to say, "this isn't going to work for me." I agree that question would be painful.

Please stay safe, Moonkin.