Sometimes that might be true, but let's say you have the option to talk to two people about a problem. Person 1 is your friend that you've known all your life. They haven't gone to school for this and have plenty of problems of their own, half of which you know about, the other half, you're a part of, so they're biased and on their side, and not your side. Person 2 is a licensed therapist, has a literal master degree in the subject of dealing with people and their shit, has passed an ethics exam, and supervised experience program, and is on your side and won't judge you for your decisions. Who do you think would be able to help more?

Person 1 is available now, and by just listening to you affirms that you matter, and that your problems are important, and the fact of your suffering matters to someone other than you. It may resonate with their own experience, maybe even something they didn't reveal because of shame or guilt, in which case both people are helped.

Person 2 is first of all, hard to find, unavailable, and extremely expensive. They don't know you, and in general aren't willing to share their own personal experiences with you. The interaction with Person 2 is transactional and does nothing to affirm the importance of your suffering to someone other than yourself.

It's a little like your suggesting to have sex with a prostitute because they're better at it. But that misses the point of what sex is even for. A lot of the time we just want to be assured that we matter, that our experience matters, and that we aren't alone. But yeah, a lot of people see it like you do, and I think that makes it a worse culture.

You've known Person 1 all your life. From your description, they're definitely aware of this problem and you've probably already talked to them about it. The problem was not resolved. Expecting a different result while repeating the same action is the definition of insanity. It's time to try something different.

I disagree with the euphemism. I can both validate and suggest my friend seek therapeutic help. If my friend was bleeding out, can I help bandage him, can I drive him to the hospital, can I try to keep his spirits up and let him know everything will be alright (even when I don't know) - Yes, I can do those things. But it is the doctor with his specialized skills and training that can fix the torn organs under the skin.

I do agree that today's generations seem to be less deeply connected than older generations. Relationships take work and vulnerability, but today's distractions make everyone feel they are short on time and make us too absorbed with the perfection of the masks we wear. Its a shame, because deep friendships are truly something to be cherished.

"True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity, before it is entitled to the appellation." - George Washington

I can say that's been my experience as well. Friendships become a burden to people, they don't want to have to 'give' too much. At the same time it requires a closer tie to even go down that route.

And then also there are just less and less friends. In any friend circle there are some people that are just better to lean on. As you get older these people move away, get married, etc.