Thanks for your reply Skeezyks, really appreciated.

I don't think much good can come of an hour of chat and I also find the disparity between the plan - improving my view of connecting with people - and the reality - chatting to someone who is not and will never be genuinely connected to me - a bit difficult to make peace with. But part of me thinks that is what an AvPD person would say! Definitely interested in other people's experiences with therapy.

I guess I was hoping therapy would challenge and change my mindset. I'm aware that I avoid interaction with people, I'm socially aloof, I push people away and "turn them off" me even before they get to know me hence never making friends. That's what I need to change, but needless to say I have no idea how.

You're lucky in a sense that you are married so clearly have one close, meaningful and accepting relationship in your life. For people like us that may be enough. A few years ago I had three friends, all distant (geographically) but people I would chat to and would see at least one of every couple of weeks or so. It felt like it was enough. But over time all three have faded, and having no-one close feels very different and very lonely at times. And especially at this time of year...