If someone comes home from work after experiencing a very negative occurrence and wishes to share it with their parents or spouse, the halacha is that although the person is saying loshon hora, as the loshon hora has a constructive purpose, loshon hora letoieles, such as to let off some steam and relieve stress, it is not considered loshon hora. Of course, a person should make a proper cheshbon hanefesh, soul searching, before saying the loshon hora. Also, one should only share the basic idea or as little as necessary to explain the situation and avoid as many non-crucial details as possible, such as saying who it happened to, how it happened, when it happened, etc. This is considered loshon hora letoieles, and the halacha is that one is allowed to say loshon hora if there is a particular benefit arising from sharing it with an appropriate person.