I had a friend who was a clinical psychologist, who used to say the same thing, that a close friend could do just as much for her patients as she could.
This is true. Psych 101 class, the professor told us and had studies to back it up that talking to a concerned friend was just as useful as a psychiatrist.
Also excercise like a walk outdoors is just as could an antidepressent as pills - better due to less dangers of side effects.
That is a story I know well. My ex went to a doc for depression. This drug works....for a while, then you need that drug, but you cant just stop using the first drug, so take them together...Then you need to add this drug and another. Long story short she is on 13 psychoactive drugs and on disability, cant drive a car, just sits around the house on disability.
If you ask her, she is happy. A drugged out, hazy chemical happy. I cant even see her anymore, too difficult to see the empty shell of a human. I have told her before just because your drug dealer has a PhD doesn’t mean you aren’t a junkie.
I’ve been to a therapist before. Yes, she was like a knowledgable paid friend. Truth is, I don’t have any friends. Women are condescending or conceited towards me, or we just don’t have much in common and they don’t get past being an aquaintance. There is nobody who cares enough to listen to my problems except my mother and a few guys at work. But you can’t necessarily talk to them about very personal problems or hang ups like you can a professional.