“My dad never says he's proud of me”

What could be going on

Emotional inhibition schema: Fits if he holds back all warm feeling, not only towards you.

Intergenerational transmission: Check whether his father was the same; he may never have heard it either.

Alexithymia: Could be he struggles to name feelings at all; check if he shows care through acts.

Selfobject needs: mirroring, idealising, twinship (Kohut): Your wish to be mirrored is a basic need; check how its absence shapes your self-worth.

Childhood emotional neglect: Fits if feelings were rarely noticed or named in your childhood, even with material care.

Also said as

• my father has never told me he loves me
• dad never praises me, not once
• why can't my father say anything nice
• I just want my dad to say well done
• I've never heard my father say he's proud
• dad who gives no praise or encouragement