You can be more effective with clients, happier at home and move forward with your life in a way that works best for you.
Being a therapist isn’t easy.
This work presents personal and professional life challenges. From the day-to-day clinical challenges working with clients, to compassion fatigue and the ethical dilemmas therapists come up against regularly, psychotherapists have a lot to gain from their own regular therapy sessions.
Therapists are not immune to the stresses of everyday life. Having your own space, where you meet your needs with a professional peer’s help, without worrying about the needs of others, can be very empowering. Professional support and consultation can help you avoid burnout, be more effective at work and happier at home.
Everyone can benefit from therapy, and that includes therapists. Psychotherapy training doesn’t mean you have all the answers all the time. It doesn’t mean you always know what questions to ask yourself to move forward.
Sometimes we have difficulty recognizing that we’re in a situation that we can resolve with some therapy. You may need help finding a different perspective, one that will lead you to a solution. You’re only human. Sometimes you need to ask for help, just like you encourage your clients to do. You deserve support just as much as your clients.
You might be struggling with behavior problems with your kids, your relationship with your partner or other family members. You might be suffering from loss or the heavy burden of worry. You might be stressed at work dealing with heavy subjects with your clients or concerned about a sticky ethical situation. Having your own therapist gives you someone you can confide in in a way you can’t with family and friends.
When you have your own therapy session, you get support from someone who understands your day-to-day experiences with clients. You have the benefit of talking to someone who understands the challenges that are unique to being a psychotherapist. You have access to someone who can support you with both your personal and professional life. You have a space dedicated to you where you can share and explore your own issues, just like you provide for your clients. Sometimes, just knowing you have the time available can reduce your stress and make things easier to handle. This is your time. This is your safe place to be you. A place where you don’t have to keep your personal life in check while you help someone else with theirs. In this safe space, you are free to express yourself, grow, change and find the solutions you need to have the life you want.
Being a therapist can be as draining as it is rewarding. Getting some therapy is your opportunity to relieve stress, tension and recharge.