Yah, another almost fifty year old here. Don treat yourself up. Be kind to yourself. I know I have believed my AH far too many times to count. I have stopped beating myself up and have started distancing myself from him. All I can do.
I have a "faulty" picker too. I left a perfectly normal husband when I was 29 and proceeded to embark on a series of bad relationships trying to fill some hole in my soul. One alcoholic guy to the next. Made the mistake of marrying this one. And had two children, now 8 and 5. They are a joy but I am now dealing with the wreckage of a lying, stealing AH.
But, as I said, I am distancing myself. To keep myself sane and to protect my kids. I have not attended al anon. I come on here for support. I am an alcoholic myself and attend AA meetings to take care of myself.
Keep coming here. Be kind to yourself. Good on you for going to counseling. It is a good step.