There’s a misconception that those in the mental health field don’t need therapy.
After all, they already have all the tools they need to cope with life’s challenges, right? But, therapists, clinical social workers, and other mental health professionals are human too. No matter what your job title is, if you’re treating other people’s mental health, you also need to prioritize your own.
Therapists face unique challenges—guiding their patients through intense stress, emotion, and trauma while managing similar struggles in their own personal lives. And when you feel you have to ‘stay strong’ for your patients, it can be hard to admit when your own mental health could use some care.
If you find yourself struggling to maintain balance, know that you’re not alone, and that there’s no more shame in seeking therapy for you than for your patients. It doesn’t make you a less effective therapist—in fact, getting the support you need will keep you grounded, allowing you to be your best self at home and in your therapy practice.
Related: Signs of Clinical Burnout and Suicidality
Barriers to getting support for therapists
You know how difficult it can be for your patients to get the help they need. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for support, and for people like you who work in mental health services, it can be even tougher. Here’s why:
- Fear of judgment: You may worry that other mental health professionals will think less of you if you need personal therapy to keep you grounded. But the truth is, a good therapist will know exactly what you’re going through and be prepared to support you without judgment.
- Not wanting to appear ‘weak’: You don’t see your patients as weak for looking for professional help, right? Treat yourself with the same compassion. Your job title doesn’t make you immune to the stresses of life. You may already have some useful coping skills, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t also use an empathetic ear and some outside support from time to time.
- Finding the right therapist: It can be difficult for anyone to find a therapist they can trust and connect with. Your patients may have tried another clinic or two before they found you. It may take time to find a therapist you feel comfortable confiding in—but don’t let that keep you from starting your search.
- Feeling isolated: It’s easy to feel alone in a situation like yours. Carrying all these pressures and fears can make you feel like you have no one to turn to. But with the right support, you can make your mental well-being a priority again and find a healthy way forward—for yourself and for the patients who count on you.
The benefits of personal therapy for therapists
You already know how valuable therapy is for those you treat. But what can it offer you as someone already working in the mental health field?
Help setting boundaries
When you listen to other people’s problems day after day, it can be difficult not to let their struggles impact you. When it begins to take a toll, it’s known as ‘compassion fatigue’.
Related: Is clinical work affecting your home life?
Compassion fatigue is “the deep physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion that can result from working day to day in an intense caregiving environment.” It’s a common experience for caretakers, healthcare workers, social workers, and mental health professionals, and it’s closely related to vicarious trauma and burnout.
52% of mental health practitioners surveyed are burned out, with poor work-life balance and compassion fatigue being two of the biggest contributors.
This is where setting healthy boundaries can help. Setting boundaries in your professional life will not only help you leave work at work, it’ll help you be a better therapist. When you’re able to separate your work and your personal life, you can keep your own mental health in better balance, allowing you to be more present for your patients, your friends, and your family.
Getting support from an understanding professional will give you the tools and techniques you need to maintain a healthier work-life balance.
Increased self-awareness
When you’re so focused on managing other people’s mental health conditions, you can miss warning signs that your own well-being is in jeopardy. Making time for personal therapy will improve your self-awareness, helping you identify your triggers, and uncover any blind spots you may have to your own mental health.
A therapist can offer an objective view of your struggles and help you understand your strengths and weaknesses, both personally and professionally. That means, by prioritizing your own care, you’ll be able to offer better care to your patients.
Improved therapy skills
Deciding to seek therapy is an excellent way to prioritize your self-care—and it can also be a valuable learning opportunity, too.
As a therapist, experiencing the other side of the couch is a helpful way to gain insight into different therapeutic tools and approaches. For instance, you might discover new techniques during your sessions that could benefit your clients.
Nobody’s perfect. Nobody has everything figured out—and that’s okay! The people who excel in their professional lives are those who never stop learning. To be the best therapist you can be, you have to be open to outside guidance and support.
Additional resources for therapists
By now, you’ve seen how beneficial personal therapy for mental health professionals can be. But if your caseload is full, and there’s no room in your schedule to see a therapist right now, don’t panic. There are plenty of other resources out there that can help.
Online support groups: In these groups, you’ll find like-minded individuals dealing with similar issues. You can get support and share experiences in a safe space among peers who understand what you’re going through.
Meditation: You may have recommended it to clients before, and for good reason. Meditation is one of the easiest, most accessible forms of mental health care there is—and it’s free! Taking even 5 minutes to breathe, be still, and connect with the present can help you stay grounded during a busy day in the clinic.
Make time for your hobbies: Prioritizing the things you love—whether it’s a yoga class, baking, writing, or whatever else makes you happy—can remind you that there’s more to life than work. Setting aside a little time every week to pursue your personal interests can have a major positive impact on your mental well-being.
Make today the day you put your well-being first
Your mental health matters just as much as your patients’. Don’t put yourself last on your priority list—get the support you deserve with Region Five Crisis & Counseling Services.
We offer a range of mental health services, including access to mental health professionals, crisis intervention, and ongoing therapy.
If you’re in urgent need of help, reach out to our Crisis Call Center by calling 988 now. Don’t suffer in silence. There’s always someone at the other end of the line, ready to help day or night.