My therapist is invaluable. I highly recommend everyone try it. Get tipsy before the first visit, if reluctant to talk. How is a therapist better than just talking to friends? See below. https://twitter.com/BabaGlocal/status/1200725183134199808

A therapist can help you recognise your own failings, problematic behaviours, misinterpretations of things, catastrophising etc. & help you take responsibility. If a friend did that, it might seem very harsh. But the shrink is on your side.

When friends open up about their problems, it's wonderful. But I never say "aren't you exaggerating? isn't this partly your fault?" etc. because that would be hurtful & also I tend to give friends the benefit of the doubt. The therapist is like a personal trainer for the mind.

He (or she: mine is a man) can be clear with you, without worrying about hurting your feelings or losing your friendship. (I literally love my shrink, but we're not friends: it's a different kind of relationship.)

You can also accept criticism from the shrink without dismissing it as motivated by jealousy, rivalry, etc. Especially because he/she will also, ideally, be extremely accepting of the character traits/behaviours that *aren't* hurting you & that you don't want or need to change.