Hi Hedgeleaf it is part of a therapists job to determine if someone is suffering from a mental illness. They don't always get it right the first time, but that is part of their responsibility, not yours, so you don't have to worry about that. Just seek help and tell them how you are feeling and what brought your to them.

Having someone loving and caring to talk to is an important tool to help with depression, but the therapist will help in a different capacity... Trying to help bring you to a healthier self, one who does recognize the deserving self-love that you are lacking... And can also help with some of the obstacles to building a personal support system including someone loving to talk to.