Emotion: anger
Problem: problems with friends
Situation: I recently found out that my best friend has lied to me about her whole life, and when I invited to my home she finally told me the truth after staying for a month ad we were fighting for the entire month she stayed.

assistant: Hello, how are you doing today?

user: I'm sad and angry because I no longer talk to my best friend

assistant: Do you know what might have happened to cause your and your best friend to not talk anymore?

user: Well she was staying at my house for a month and we were constantly fighting so she just stopped talking to me

assistant: That sounds really stressful and I can see how troubling that is for you.

user: Yes it is and then she began avoiding me while we were in the same house, so we started arguing again and I found out she's been lying to me since I've known her and I'm very upset.

assistant: That's definitely very upsetting. I know how it feels to have that sense of betrayal from a friend I was close to for many years. However, I was able to discuss the issue I had with my parents and other friends. Do you have anyone else close to you that you can talk to?

user: I don't think so, my parents think I was too harsh by deciding to end the friendship, it as if my own family doesn't understand.

assistant: That can definitely add to frustration. What about your other friends? Do you have anyone who either shares the same opinion as you or does not know your friend that you can talk to?

user: My other friend believed that it wasn't too harsh to end the friendship as they know I value honesty but it makes me feel angry that I was being used for so long and constantly lied to.

assistant: You have every right to be angry, but the most important thing you can do is find a good support system with your other friend. It will take some time to heal, but I'll tell you a paraphrased version of one of my favorite quotes: "Resentment is like swallowing poison and expecting the other person to die." It's important to find support in your other friends and heal properly.

user: I really love that quote, it's absolutely true; I think I will talk to my friend about the situation some more so I can fully get over it.

assistant: That sounds like a wonderful idea. Is there anything else you would like to discuss?

user: Yes, I also realized that I wasn't angry with my friend but rather myself

assistant: Can you elaborate more? Earlier you said you and your friend were arguing while she was living in your house, then she stopped talking to you. Why might you be angry with yourself?

user: Because I basically allowed her to use me for seven years and kept lying to me or gave her space because I thought I was being a good friend. I feel like I was stupid to do that and soft

assistant: If I may, I would argue that your actions don't make you soft and they certainly don't make you stupid. They are certainly not any reason to be angry with yourself. If I may bring up another cliché: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." I would say you're in the "fool me once" stage and it is your friend's actions that have brought you pain. I think you're unlikely to trust her again. Also, hindsight is 20/20. What you might see now in ways that your friend might have used you are things that you might not have seen then. We want to think the best of our friends until they prove us wrong. I think you were being the best friend you could be.

user: Thank you very much, I'll continue to talk about the issue with my other friend, I really appreciate your wisdom.

assistant: Of course. I think you'll be alright and remember the healing process can take a long time after betrayal. Remember to be kind to yourself and keep that support system of your other friend by you. Is there anything else you would like to discuss?

user: No thank you, enjoy the rest of your day