Do Therapists Need Therapy?

Of course! The nature of therapy is rooted in the therapeutic relationship, so challenging issues will inevitably arise. This is why it is imperative for clinicians to have reinforcements such as supervisors, consultants, and their own psychotherapy. Checking their bias, avoiding therapeutic enactments with clients, and sustaining their personal selves to provide the highest standard of care.

When it comes to therapeutic practice, both laws and ethics come into play on multifaceted levels. Important to note they aren’t the same and can come into conflict at times. Regulation of the mental health profession occurs in all 50 states, and each varies in its scope of practice and legislation enforcement. Several things are discussed before therapy even begins, including billing, informed consent, and limits to confidentiality. Clinicians must remain aware of not only their clients but also themselves at all times, taking care of both. If not attuned to their own needs and potential influence, one’s unresolved conflicts may enter the therapeutic space. This can range from needing to tell clients what to do, to overbooking one’s schedule and ignoring burnout.

The single best practice a therapist can do is not to deviate from neutrality. This is not the blank face, blank slate crap. This is the therapeutic frame: starting and stopping on time, how much you typically offer yourself to clients outside the session, and how you discuss and figure out payment. Holding the frame means NOT protecting the client from feeling. In hopes that they can tell you how your holding the frame impacted them.  This is a challenge because each client impacts the therapist differently, and the frame can provide useful information about the client’s issues.

While undergoing training, clinicians are challenged to explore the personal beliefs and attitudes that direct their everyday living. Moreover, they’re forced to confront their biases and blind spots, calling to the surface even those that may have been unconscious until that point. They learn to become aware of how their needs influence their actions, how they use power in their life, and what motivates them to participate in the field altogether. Putting brackets around their own values doesn’t mean getting rid of them, but finding a way to keep them separate from their relationships with clients. Therapists are humans too, and multiple truths can exist simultaneously. But those in the profession have to be able to work with a wide range of people with diverse experiences, world views, and beliefs. Clients should never be exposed to any form of discrimination, and the imposition of values by a counselor would grossly contaminate the sanctity of the therapeutic process. Client autonomy should always be fostered, with differing ideals undoubtedly approached in empathetic and non-judgemental ways. 

At the end of the day, a good therapist will keep this question at the forefront of their mind: Am I doing what’s best for my client? And sometimes what is best is charging full-fee for that no-show (holding the frame.)

There’s so much to be gained from engaging in this process, as each therapist is different, just like every client. Sessions will never look identical, and all one has to do is keep showing up, no matter the state you are in. The relationship is collaborative, and when we put ourselves out there, we realize we aren’t alone.

Why not find out if this approach is a good fit for you? Learn more today!