Survey

[ealissam]

I’m a therapist that also suffers from depression & anxiety. I’ve had to take some time off due to this most recent episode & I’m wondering if I should change careers. My anxiety increases when I think about returning because I have my own issues & I want to be present for my clients. I know what it’s like to suffer & a part of me just wants to alleviate that for my clients- but there’s no magical answer to immediately alleviate it. While I’ve never had complaints about the treatment I provide, I am wondering if it’s ethically sound. I’d love feedback.

[b1b1b1]

I have heard that quite a few psychiatrists and therapists choose the career because they, themselves suffer from anxiety and or depression. As long as you are fully able to focus on the patient during the session and also do not project your own problems onto the patient I think you will be fine.

[Hidden]

Hi, I’m a counselor and have deep rooted issues myself. I am getting the help I need finally to deal with my core issues. I think if you need time off to work on yourself definitely do it, but having issues is very common in this field. We just need to know how to not transfer that onto the client. Do you know what your core issue is yet?

[ealissam in reply to Hidden]

I think I have a basic idea but have a tendency to minimize it a lot. I know that I need to work on self care & create a routine that will help me better manage my depression & anxiety. Thank you so much for sharing, they say others in the field likely have struggles but none that I know have been open about it.

[Hidden in reply to ealissam]

I was on a low dose of Lexapro and saw a psychiatrist thinking I have Pure OCD, he told me to raise the dose and we will see what happens. I’ve was suffering intense anxiety, crying spells, fear, panic and feeling like I’m just a kid trying to be an adult. I found a therapist named Jerry Wise he has a YouTube channel. I had my first session with him today and I think he is going to really help me. My core issue is from my family of origin, lack of nurturing and connection in my family, especially with my mother.

[Hidden in reply to ealissam]

I have been seeing counselors, therapists and psychologists for at least 26-years and I’ve had several admit to me that they to have depression.

[Jeff1943]

You have something most other therapists don't, you have personal experience of anxiety and depression. You could use that to the advantage of your patients. However if you think your disorder stops you giving your best then you should take a break from therapy. Likewise if you feel that dealing with so many people with anxiety disorder makes your condition worse then once again take a break. Only you can decide.

There was once a young doctor called Claire Weekes who experienced anxiety disorder early in life. She developed a method to help her recover based on acceptance. She then switched to psychiatry and 60 years ago wrote her first self-help book explaining the method she used. Since then untold thousands throughout the world have gained respite or recovery using her method. She is long dead but those of us who have gained relief and recovery from acceptance are glad she carried on with her work.

If she had never experienced anxiety disorder and depression herself she would never have been able to help so many people.

[ealissam in reply to Jeff1943]

Thank you, I will definitely check her work out

[Jeff1943 in reply to ealissam]

Her first book is the one to go for, quite short, titled 'Self help for your nerves' in the U.K. and 'Self help for your netves' in the U.S. Available new or used on Amazon where all of her books combined have received 1,600 reviews in recent years of which 90% found her method very good or excellent.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Jeff1943]

Correction the book is titled 'Hope and help for your nerves' in the U.S.

[Calm_mama in reply to ealissam]

If I may suggest, do more than check it out!! I recommend to folks that they read her book over and over until it really sinks in (or listen to the audio- whichever is preferred). She was an early adopter of CBT. She was so ahead of her time with regards to understanding how thought, feelings and behavior were related, and how these profoundly influenced beliefs and attitudes. She completely understood anxiety and how simple it is to recover if you truly understand it, and practice accepting it while simultaneously proceeding through life as though it's simply not there. This is a radical oversimplification of her approach. I do hope you read the book! Again, I recommend reading/listening over and over... because people with anxiety have been practicing thinking about their anxiety in a certain way quite intensely, and for a long time- it takes time and regular exposure to a new way of looking at it to undo that...

[ealissam in reply to Calm_mama]

I will have to find an audio of her stuff to listen to a bunch! Thanks!

[Calm_mama in reply to ealissam]

youtube.com/watch?v=REOdAWC...(Not working as expected?)

[Slee50 in reply to Jeff1943]

Dr. Claire Weeks has alot of audio tapes on youe tube to listen to

[Hidden]

At least you may have a better understanding. I get docs are trained, but I also believe if you havent been there it is harder to understand and that goes with any situation. I was told by one of my many social workers she wasnt even certified. I just shook my head and was confused. Most of them seem like you should just be cured overnight, just like drug treatment. And in light of it Like many ive read feel abandoned. Isolation. This forum I believe saves some, helps some etc and am pleased it is here for us. ... Probably doesnt help, but best to you and thank you for doing what you for a living. Appreciated.

[fauxartist]

If your feeling job burnout then for sure try something else. But also ...who better to understand those with depression and anxiety than another who also suffers and is also a therapist. So I bet your pretty darn good at your job. It's a tough call and really only you can answer that as you know...but the field does need more understanding therapists, many don't because you just can't learn how to understand what depression is really like reading about it in a book....

[Calm_mama]

In my experience the very best therapists have personal experience from which they can draw. It allows them to provide true and deep empathy for their clients. And, it motivates them to stay on top of the latest research and effective treatments. You can think of this as a gift for your clients

[Calm_mama in reply to Calm_mama]

Also, Jeff1943 mentions Dr. Claire Weekes above (and how she suffered herself and went on to be a world-renowned expert on anxiety recovery)

It is likely that her self help materials can help you and also your clients. It always surprises me when the therapists I talk to have never heard of her. She understood anxiety (and the resulting depression, AND how to recover) like no other. I have some of her resources on my profile.

Wishing you all the best.

[l8blmr]

In my experience as a client in therapy there seems to have had two aspects. First there's educating the client in whatever method you're using (e.g. schema, cbt). That much is straightforward. The other, more elusive, aspect is the connection that allows the therapist to nurture a sense of self worth in the client. The therapist needs to have a strong enough sense of self to show vulnerability in the face of the clients unease and insecurity. I haven't had much success with the second part, probably due my serious trust issues. I'd like to believe there are therapists who could have forced their way past that and helped me to open up. Those are probably the ones that don't accept insurance.

I guess I'm telling you all this to suggest that you focus on the second part. Achieving that connection and seeing the relief and joy that goes with their self acceptance should be the goal. If that's always in the back of your mind you might be able to work past the distraction of your own issues and be with the client in the moment.

[SoberDrunk1]

Books like Power of Now and A New earth educated me how my mind operates, actually how the ego operates. Knowing that helps me being rooted. Not that I could say, I have overcome anxiety altogether but I can be at peace why I am anxious.

[Hidden]

I agree that having anxiety and depression can make you a better therapist. I can tell you my psychiatrist has never had depression, unless you count being sad because he’s out of Miracle Whip. He’s heard it all and studied and gotten trained but I know without discussing it with him that he’s as clueless as me trying to understand what it might be like to wake up tomorrow with a penis.

My therapist on the other hand, I could tell you the first session that she was one of us. Later she told me. The fact that she has experienced it, makes us click.

My psychiatrist is just my drug dealer. There’s no clicking. We’re not the same.

[hypercat54]

Hi I thought as a counsellor you have to go through lots of counselling yourself and I presume unless you had your own issues under control you wouldn't be able to legally practice?

I also understand that even professional counsellors have to also be under supervision for their own mental health at all times? x

[ealissam in reply to hypercat54]

I have been in counseling & also am seeing a great therapist. I also seek supervision regularly.

[aaronm]

I'm a crisis therapist who works with people who are suicidal or homicidal. I also suffer from depression and anxiety and have chronic ongoing thoughts of suicide. My closest co worker has bi-polar disorder with depression and chronic ongoing thoughts of suicide. Neither of us would ever consider opening up to any other co worker for fear of the work environment turning negative. My supervisor inappropriately said one day that anybody who has ever had to meet with a crisis therapist clearly wouldn't be working there. We then devised a plan looking out for each other to drive out of the area to another district. I find my work serves a very similar purpose as me coming on here. It gives me a chance to make a difference in people while at the same time helping myself...but I'm the only person that knows that second part. For example I say to clients why does mental illness have such a stigma? Our brain is the most important organ. No other organ can work without the brain. Shouldn't it be expected in society that we make our brain a first priority? Then...eventually at some point I tell myself I'm just messed up and I'd be better off dead...or any of the 100 other things I've told myself BUT WAIT!!! What about what I said to the client? Why does that not apply to me?

[hypercat54 in reply to aaronm]

Sorry can you delete the F word please? x

[ealissam in reply to aaronm]

Thank you very much for sharing that. I’ve worked in crisis mental health previously and felt similar- like I was carrying a heavy secret of suicidal thoughts, etc. while working in the field I have come across many who say awful things about patients so I’ve learned to hide how I really feel. Let me tell you it’s exhausting! That’s awesome that you a coworker as a support. I also find it hypocritical though when I tell others about fighting the stigma when I’m not 100% honest about what I struggle with.

[aaronm in reply to ealissam]

Sometimes 100% honesty is hurtful. That's what white lies are for. Have you heard "Don't say 'I understand' unless you really understand?" I often say to clients "I understand and yes I mean I really understand." I'm not 100% honest but I'm not hiding the truth either.

[Knowone]

Wow, thank you ealissam, you just proved that anxiety is a normal part of life... I'm sorry you're going through this, but I think you should hang around and continue to help your clients they need you.. Hang in there!!

[Hidden]

Who says you can’t do both? Find a new career if you think it will benefit your mental health. You can always volunteer or start a support group on the side to help those with anxiety and depression. You would have the best of both worlds.

[rach1402]

I wouldn't say it's unethical but I can see how that could be difficult. If you're more empathic than logical and have trouble keeping a professional distance, have you considered moving more towards a counselling approach? You might find talking therapy is a better fit for someone like you than implementing techniques. Might be worth giving some thought...