Just for me, love is a word I use for family and friends, usually people I’ve known for a while. It implies a unique relationship with that person.

Care to me is a lot broader than love, and it needn’t be a unique relationship. Like I care about my students, whoever they are, even if I never interact with them personally (I have 250-400 students a semester).

But, and I think this might apply to therapists too, if I do get to know a student personally, I can feel affection for them. Affection isn’t love, but kind of a deeper care to me.

I hope the conversation goes okay. But remember, even if she doesn’t love you, that doesn’t mean it has anything to do with you. It’s more likely her and how she uses the term.