Therapy is a space for you to explore who you are, heal old wounds, and be seen. It's different than venting to a friend for a few reasons. First, the therapist has no stake in the game when it comes to your life -- they are an outside observer. Second, the therapist is bound ethically and legally to maintain your privacy. Third, the therapist is trained to show up without judgement. I've heard it said that we can't see ourselves, not fully. We are too busy being immersed in the middle of our experiences, after all. It can really help to have a trained professional outside of yourself to help you gently notice some of the patterns that are keeping you stuck, and to help you try on some new sets of lenses to see the world.