Without training, people are often unconsciously re-working there own issues, not necessarily really aligning with yours.

My friends will coach me in ways they believe would be right for themselves. They mean well, but they haven’t lived my life. They don’t know what’s behind the facade I put on. They know me in a slice of my life. And based on their reality and what’s worked for them, they merely parade their belief system in an attempt to help me.

Here is an example. I bet we all know people who would discourage us from facing conflict. They are reacting to their own experience of it as "unsafe" in some way, threatening. They’ve gotten burned. My situation may require facing conflict in a healthy and respectful way. And there is a way to do that. But my friend won't be able to help me navigate that because they are consciously or unconsciously opposed to conflict.

Could your friend really be helpful? It’s a crap shoot. But I ask you, why do you have a financial adviser? Why do you have an accountant? You need someone with training who can truly help you clarify your wants and needs, someone who is not invested in your responding in a particular way.