First of all, it does not correspond to the human psyche. And if there is no priest, or if he himself is not ready to turn to a priest, he seeks out at least a friend or simply any man, and tells him, and he feels better. This can be called a natural confession. This device of natural confession is often used in literature. One must look at repentance and confession also from the religious-church point of view.
Confession is a Mystery, a kind of small judgment.
The priest who hears a confession is a witness of it, but at the same time he is a judge, because he gives forgiveness in the name of the Lord Jesus. Often it happens that a man confesses small things but is silent about the adultery he has committed. Because it is shame ful to speak about it. However, through this small shame before a single witness a man is delivered from eternal shame after the Fearful and Universal Judgment, when the Lord will come to judge the living and the dead. One should be ashamed of sin.