As I was reading your post wrigh430 a thought occured to me (I'm hoping it helps, please don't take it the wrong way):

Do you think that the people you try to interact with are intimidated by you? You sound like a well articulated, well educated (you work for the federal government), financially stable (you have been willing to pay for counselling services), independent woman who does not engage in risky behaviours and stands up against religious views you do not agree with.

I'm not judging whether you've done "wrong or right" but rather simply wondering whether the way you present yourself to others through actions and words give subtle cues that make them intimidated by you and hence prevent them from wanting to interact with you at a deeper level.