Well, not in every other way. I'm going to mull over your theory a bit. He's not abusive but something about the powerlessness I feel and the lack of affection is so reminiscent of my parental relationships that I wonder if ANY therapeutic relationship will be able to work. Also the minimizing of this abuse reminds me strongly of how several very not-normal situations in my youth were just glossed over and not talked about. I dealt with a lot of stuff on my own...it's no wonder I'm such a f***-up.