Abstract: This theoretical study encompasses a theory of authentic self-love as a healing phenomenon in relational, systemic psychotherapy, utilizing selected psychological, philosophical, theological and aesthetic interdisciplinary literature, texts ranging from 2,000 BCE to the present, including phenomenological, hermeneutics methodology, academic and nonacademic literature. Here, psychotherapy is considered a mutually loving process as the patient and psychotherapist relate to one another. When the professional psychotherapist is able to love the patient, thus being truly and authentically open to the 'being' of the other, the patient can become more open to change and growth within the psychotherapeutic relationship. Authentic self-love is healing when, in connection with significant other relationships, the individual develops love and self-acceptance. The deficiency of such self-love and self-acceptance originates in and produces inhibited self and inauthenticity, psychological maladjustment and symptomology. Love and care are necessary antidotes to apathy, especially in psychotherapy. Systemically, love is a power that produces love. The individual self is an open system, such that the I-self and we-self are systemically interrelated as presented with empathy, mindful-understanding, acceptance and compassion, and generosity toward self and others. The viewpoint that love for others and love for one's self are contradictory is untenable. Love is fundamental to all existence to the meaning of being human, a way of being in the world with one's self and others. Distinction is made between narcissism and authentic self-love; inhibitions and maladjustment as described by humanistic, existential, object relations, and family systems theories; categorical definitions of love, based on existential psychotherapy, humanistic psychology, object relations theory, Fromm's Love as art and attitude, Frankfurt's reasons for loving, May's love and will, C. S. Lewis's nature of love as four loves, Thomas Lewis, Fan Amini, and Richard Lannon's Scientific theory of love as a central theme of love Pin psychotherapy; a systemic relational view; conceptualization of change; and role of the psychotherapist. Also noted are theological and spiritual teachings on love: Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Special notice is given to Persian literature on love as presented by Rumi, Omar Khayyam, Hafez, Sa'adi, and Ferdowsi. Summary and conclusions are presented.