“…Most people at some point in their life have experienced the helping aspects of friendship. A steady supporting system (friends, family, partner) may lessen the need for professional help (for more on the therapeutic value of friendship see Berzoff, 1989;Gurdin, 1988;and Mitchel, 1966). The characterization of the therapeutic relationship as purchased friendship (Schofield, 1964) may sound exaggerated, but it is also indicative of the value of the latter.…”