As a therapist, you are trained to help others navigate through life’s challenges, but what about when you face challenges and emotions of your own?
Just like anyone else, therapists may experience burnout, stress, anxiety, and depression. Everyone has their own personal issues that they need to work through. That’s why it is important for therapists to consider attending therapy themselves. Here’s a few reasons why it could benefit you.
Therapy as an opportunity to examine yourself.
One benefit of attending therapy as a therapist is the opportunity to examine one’s own base instincts and biases. Everyone has their own set of values and beliefs that can influence their thinking and behavior. As therapists, it’s important to be aware of these biases and how they may affect the therapeutic relationship. Attending therapy can help you gain insight into your own values and beliefs and how they may impact the work with your clients.
Therapy can build deeper empathy and identify blind spots.
Another benefit of attending therapy is the ability to empathize with clients on a deeper level. By experiencing therapy as a client, therapists can gain a better understanding of what it feels like to be vulnerable and share personal details with another person. This can help you be more attuned to your clients’ needs and emotions.
It can also help you examine your own blind spots. Just like everyone else, therapists have areas where they may be less knowledgeable or comfortable. Attending therapy can help therapists to identify these blind spots and work to address them. This can ultimately help them to be more effective in their work with clients.
Therapy can help you better accept constructive criticism
Finally, attending therapy can help you learn to accept feedback and be more open to constructive criticism. In the therapy room, you are often in a position of authority and may not receive much feedback from clients. Attending therapy can provide an opportunity for you to receive feedback from a trained professional and learn how to incorporate that feedback into your own work.
Therapists need Self-care, too
It’s important for therapists to take care of their own mental health and wellbeing so that they can be better equipped to help others. Attending therapy can provide a space for you to work through your own challenges and emotions, which can ultimately lead to greater self-awareness and better outcomes for your clients.
Of course, attending therapy as a therapist may not be easy. It can be difficult to shift from the role of the helper to that of the client. Therapists may also worry about how attending therapy could be perceived by others. However, it is important to remember that just as you tell your clients- attending therapy is a sign of strength and a commitment to personal growth and self-improvement.
Overall, therapists can only benefit from attending therapy themselves. When you are able to examine your own biases and blind spots, empathize with clients on a deeper level, learn to accept feedback, and working through your own challenges and emotions, you will become more effective in your work with clients. Don’t forget to prioritize your own mental health and wellbeing so that you can continue to provide the best possible care to those you serve.
Find a therapists that fits your needs in our Ravel directory, and start tending to your needs, too.