MBR: “Yes, it can be difficult to make clear requests. But think how hard it will be for others to respond to our request if we’re not even clear what it is!”

Client: “I’m starting to get clear what I want from others to fulfill my need for love, but it’s embarrassing.”

MBR: “Yes, very often it is embarrassing. So what would you like for me or others to do?”

Client: “If I really reflect upon what I’m requesting when I ask to be loved, I suppose I want you to guess what I want before I’m even aware of it. And then I want you to always do it.”

MBR: “I’m grateful for your clarity. I hope you can see how you are not likely to find someone who can fulfill your need for love if that’s what it takes.”

Very often, my clients were able to see how the lack of awareness of what they wanted from others had contributed significantly to their frustrations and depression.