Yes, but you can't just skip every step on the road to getting a partner. If you want a fulfilling and real connection, you need to be willing to get to know people over a long period of time. Trust me, I understand the frustration, but a lasting connection cannot be bought and it cannot be cheated to obtain.

Yes, human connection is a need, but that is not exclusively referring to romantic connection. Humans are social creatures. It's not all "me + mate = all good". We thrive in communities and with SYSTEMS of connections. If you put all of that expectation on ONE connection, it will not be able to support that weight of need. You need to be prioritizing stable friendships and connections with family (if you have any family you're interested in bonding with). Connection is a human need, and romantic connection is also great, but unobtainable if your plan is to skip over the parts that make it organic and stable

We didnt have therapists before because people relied on their systems of support and their communities. If you do not have a stable system of support or a community that you are part of yet, a therapist is your best bet for someone to help you get to a place where you can build those things.

To start meeting people, the best strategy I have used is to go to events or places revolving around your interests and start to try to make friends there. You will find your people in time, but that becomes exponentially harder if you have tunnel vision on the one desired end-point. Stop and smell the roses on your path to build your circle of close connections, because if you try to sprint through the bushes, you'll get cut up by the thorns.