Therapists Are Human Too
Written by: Annalise Wintz
It’s easy to think of therapists as all-knowing and even at times, perfect. It’s also easy to forget that therapists are in fact human, too. Therapists struggle the same way that everyone else does. It is likely your therapist has experienced and/or overcome trauma before. It is likely your therapist has experienced grief and loss before. It is likely there are days when your therapist doesn’t have the energy to work. It is likely your therapist gets triggered from hearing or witnessing certain things. It likely your therapist also goes to therapy.
From my own personal experience when myself or others have been asked, “Why did you choose to become a therapist?” it is often because we want to help others – but there is a reason why. It is likely the therapist has personally experienced something that lead them down the path of wanting to empower others and change lives.
At the same time, as much as therapists want to help their clients, there are also tough days. Sometimes therapists are experiencing personal losses and difficulties while trying to help clients navigate their own as well. Sometimes clients may say something in session that triggers the therapist, but the therapist still sits there and holds space for the client in that moment. Sometimes therapists don’t know how to respond or feel uncomfortable in silence, but they don’t show it. Therapists are also struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic while attempting to help their clients cope at the same time. Therapists also have work from home struggles and may feel isolated or frustrated.
As much as self-care is emphasized to others, therapists are sometimes the worst at actually practicing it. This is really because therapists often put so much time and energy into their work that their own needs sometimes become neglected as a result of putting everyone else first. At the end of the day therapists are just like everyone else – human.
Written by: ANNALISE WINTZ
Lead Clinical Case Manager
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Registered Substance Abuse Counselor