I honestly don't think you're wrong at all. If you never learned how to self care, self soothe, validate and comfort yourself, while growing up...it makes sense that you have to be taught.

Like your analogy on speaking Russian.

My T is the one who told me about needing to be taught via experiential learning and her modelling things.

She believes in scaffolding - showing me eg by fighting inner critic aloud for me(at first I just listen a few times), then having me try with lots of initial coaching, and gradually eventually I will be able to do so on my own.

The healing, nurturing, flexible relationship where the therapist does "limited reparenting" is really the core of schema therapy, which is her main modality.

I hope your session goes well!