Does My Therapist Go To Therapy?

Acknowledging your therapist has a personal life is like seeing your high school teacher at the grocery store. In your mind, their sole existence is in their office, helping you navigate the complex details of your life. 

Maybe even weirder, acknowledging that your therapist is processing the details of their own life with their own therapist might be enough to blow your mind! 🤯

The stigma that still exists around therapy today can make this reality feel like a concern. “Shouldn't my therapist be stable and well adjusted?”, “How can they take care of me if they need someone to take care of them?” This reaction is understandable, but I encourage you to consider this as good news! 

Here are a few reasons why your therapist being in therapy is a good thing: 

Your therapist is a human being! All human beings are complex and go through periods of emotional suffering. Attending to our emotional struggles using an unbiased third party is a responsible thing to do, especially when helping others with their emotional struggles is the nature of our job. 

Your therapist in the client seat promotes empathy. Historically, psychotherapists were known to be authority figures. Today, this vibe can feel intimidating and judgmental. Seeking our own therapy can help level the playing field in session with you. We are all in this together! 

If your therapist has an outlet to work on themselves, they can be more present for you. Have you ever been so stressed, sad or distracted that you neglected to be fully present at work or with a loved one? This can happen to therapists too! Just like you, we need to take care of ourselves so we can preform at our best. 

A good therapist has education and experience, a great therapist also has personal growth. I believe therapy is as important as going to the doctor or dentist. We are emotional beings and without proper support, we become biased and blind to certain parts of our world. By intentionally being self-aware and making more vulnerable decisions (much easier with the help of a therapist) we become better at our jobs and relationships, and gain confidence in ourselves. 

I would love to hear your thoughts! Therapists - how do you define the importance of therapy in your own life and work? Clients - do you think it is important that your therapist seeks therapy?