Here is another helpful idea, hasn't been mentioned explicitly: a therapist has (or has had) many clients. For that reason alone, even if they had no more skill at coaching than your average friend, they have valuable insights.

You might think that you are very unique, but often that's not the case. Or, at least, your behavior can be decomposed into patterns, and a therapist can often forecast where that behavior leads (and, if they're skilled and/or lucky, where it's coming from).