similar to you, i came from a family where love was rarely voiced or physically expressed towards me by my parents or other family members. i had no problems expressing love in an adult manner towards my husband or other intimate partners over the years, but i didn't know how to express love from the young childhood parts of myself nor did i believe that my young parts were worthy of being loved in return. this is where love in the relationship with my T was so beneficial. it was the catalyst that helped me to finally understand that if i could have such strong and deep feelings of love towards my T (almost a perfect stranger in many regards, who probably could not even reciprocate the same level of care and love that i felt towards him) then in actuality, i should be able to have those same feelings of love towards myself, especially for my scared and lonely younger parts. this was one of my major personal epiphanies that occurred in my many years of therapy.