1 I have seen many therapists over the course of my adult life. Here are some of the modalities I have explored:
Psychotherapy
Psychiatry
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Sensorimotor Therapy
Behavioral Activation Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Gestalt Therapy

One thing that came up in each modality (except DBT, which is the only therapy that has ever worked for me) was the idea of self-love. I have to love myself before I can love anyone else.

Brad, do you love yourself?

The answer I always give them is no. I don’t. I don’t love myself.

Part of my reasoning is the second part of the compound word “my- self.” To love “myself” means that I ascribe first and foremost to the idea of a “self,” which philosophically I do not. It might sound absurd to some people, but millions of smiling…