Hi David

I think it’s good that you understand what you want in a relationship now. I hope you can build on this and have a healthy relationship in the future.

Can you explain a little more about feeling like you can’t be yourself around others?

Sometimes it can be difficult for people to identify if their parents did a good job or not.

Did your parents yell or scold you? We’re there any problems with alcohol use? Was there any violence at home? Did they speak to you kindly and let you know that you are loved? Were your parents faithful to each other? Did you ever feel lonely and wish they spent more time with you?

That being said, trauma can come from anywhere. It doesn’t have to come from parents. If you are bullied a lot at school. Or there was someone else in your life that treat you poorly?