Hey all! So, I met someone on an online dating site and we exchanged numbers. We spoke for a bit and she asked if I'd like to meet up. So we met up at a public restaurant and we had a nice time! She's really nice and she said that we should make plans to meet up again.*

Now, there aren't any problems with her, just with myself. I'm in my early to mid 20s and I've never dated anyone before. I'm a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and I've had depression for years. My anxiety is also pretty bad. I see a therapist but I may have to see a new one. Because of these things and the fact that it's hard to find other queer people, I have a lot of insecurities and I avoided intimate relationships. However, I want to change things and get close to someone and develop an emotional connection.*

I guess I'm asking for advice on how to handle my insecurities. I know that I deserve good things, like everyone else, but there's a part of me deep inside that sometimes feels as if I'm too defective or messed up to be with. *

I'm also dealing with the problem of being patient. I've always been attracted to people who were emotionally unavailable. Now I'm finally interested in a person who's healthy for me and (I'd hope) she's interested in me. But things are going at a slow pace and my insecurities can't help but get the best of me.*

I guess...I'd just really like advice on how to handle insecurities when it comes to new relationships/dating.*

Thanks a lot.*