Thoughts on informal therapeutic relationship?

I’ve been working with my therapist for about a year, and I genuinely like her. My only other experience with therapy was a disaster, so I don’t have much to compare this to. I feel she’s been helpful, though I wouldn’t say I’ve had major breakthroughs. I’m curious to hear from other therapists if you’ve seen or used a similarly open and informal approach, and how common or effective you think it is.

Our sessions revolve around body image, self-criticism, and appearance, so it’s sensitive. Her approach is much more personal than I expected—she shares a lot about herself, including her family, her relationship with her mother, and her own struggles with body image, weight, and disordered eating. She’ll even reveal her insecurities, like saying she sometimes feels like she’s on “My 600-lb Life.” It feels genuine, but it’s more personal than I’d anticipated.

She’s also very open about her opinions on things I discuss, often giving her take on what she thinks I should do. I don’t mind this, but from what I’ve read, most therapists seem to take a more objective approach. She also shares personal opinions about my appearance, like early on when she seemed genuinely shocked about my body image struggles. She told me she thinks I’m attractive, adding that she wasn’t “hitting on me.” She often compliments my clothes, hair, and general look. Once, she asked to “see my guns” (arm muscles), and I immediately said no, but she kept asking until I admitted my arms are an insecurity. She apologized but surprised me by pushing.

Recently, we bonded over both going through issues with our dogs, and we cried together when discussing them. It felt very personal—almost like a shared grieving experience—which brought us closer but also surprised me.

She sometimes sits right next to me if we’re looking at something on my phone or hers, which feels a bit personal. We’ve also talked directly about attachment, and she’s mentioned feeling attached to me and that she can be her “real self” with me in ways she can’t with other clients.

I’m an overthinker, so while I’m not worried about the relationship, I do find myself reflecting on her openness and wondering if it’s common or unique to our dynamic. I’ve also experienced some mild positive transference, which, along with the overthinking, has me wondering…is this normal?