Re: therapist, years ago it was estimated that a good, listening friends has about the same effect as a good therapist. So maybe cheaper (if you can find one at all).
If you can afford do both.
Specialists have a bigger toolset with these things to help. Their advice is independent from a friend or family relationship. But hanging with them 1-2 hours every day as you might with a good friend can get expensive...
Both types of support are useful in different ways.