Relational and intersubjective concepts are used to present new ideas about love in psychotherapy. Love is a fundamental creative and propulsive force in therapy. Therapy is a mutually loving process addressing the problematic of love. The therapist's subordinated subjectivity has importance in this experience. Developed but inhibited love occurs in many patients as a result of loving but flawed parenting. As actualization of love progresses during therapy, so does actualization of self. The actualization of love proceeds through 3 successive stages: desire, belief, and hope. The struggle for recognition is fundamental to these developments. The role of love in therapy is theorized on the basis of philosophical, sociological, and psychoanalytic ideas. A case report demonstrates the above approach.