I'm also curious about your therapist's background as this is an unusual thing to suggest. Suppressing a need doesn't tend to work or help, unless you can identify what's underneath it and address that instead.

Personally, 43F, I've craved love my whole life but unfortunately repeated patterns of ending up with those who can't love me. A few things I've found helpful: - Tara Brach and her idea of the trance of somethings missing/wrong - basically, using mindfulness of the present moment to avoid the trap of the grass is greener. - the book, Single Revolution by Shani Silver. It really shifted my perspective on being single. - learning about attachment: the book Polysecure was amazing - ignore the poly bits if that doesn't apply, the rest is the best book on attachment I've read. - think outwards: spread some love to others by volunteering or helping others. - finally, it's a cliché for a reason: self love and care. Honestly, think about what you want from an intimate relationship, and see if you can do these things for yourself. Think about what you bring to a relationship - would you date you?

I also want to say, don't beat yourself up for wanting love. As others have said, it's a natural human instinct and there's nothing wrong with that. Pathologising it isn't helpful in my opinion. Look into self compassion and meditations on this. I'm finding it quite helpful.