Do Therapists Have Therapists? Finding Mental Health Support As A Therapist

As mental health awareness gains popularity, more and more people are turning to therapy for guidance, advice, and encouragement. While therapists are often seen as the go-to resource for mental health support, it can be easy to forget that they may need help sometimes, too. Counseling can be a stressful job, and life’s challenges can affect everyone, including mental health professionals.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at therapy for therapists, including why it can be important and ways to find mental health support as a therapist. We’ll also discuss some other things you might need to consider when starting therapy as someone working in the mental health field. 

Do therapists have therapists?

Practicing therapy can be a rewarding professional experience for people with an interest in mental health and helping others. That said, it can also come with a unique set of challenges, including mental health concerns. 

To understand how common this is, let’s take a look at the numbers. In 2018, researchers surveyed over 600 psychologists about their well-being and their feelings about seeking help for mental illness. Two-thirds of participants reported that they had experienced challenges related to their own mental health. 

In a different study from 2022, researchers surveyed more than 1,500 faculty and students in university psychology programs about their mental health. Over 80% of participants reported having previous mental health challenges, and 48% reported having a diagnosed mental health condition like depression or anxiety. 

These figures might seem surprising, but looking at the realities of being a therapist may help explain them. Conducting a therapy session can often mean talking to people with a range of mental illnesses, some more severe than others. This may involve listening to some of your clients’ most intense or traumatic experiences, which can be distressing. In fact, therapists who work with trauma survivors may even experience vicarious trauma, which can mimic the symptoms of PTSD. 

As a therapist, you may also face pressure to help your clients feel better, give useful advice, and not say anything that will make their symptoms worse. These high stakes can contribute to stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout.

In addition to these work-related stressors, it can also be worth remembering that therapists are people, too. They may face the same challenges in their own personal lives that other people do, such as:

• Major life transitions, like moving, getting married, or having a child
• Illnesses
• Relationship challenges
• Loss of a loved one
• Loss of a job
• Trauma

With all this in mind, it may be easier to understand why many therapists choose to go to therapy themselves. Getting mental health support can be an important step toward managing challenges like these. Therapy can help therapists take care of their mental health and ensure they can keep doing their best work with their clients. 

Considerations for therapists seeking therapy

Counseling can be a useful resource for therapists who are navigating their own issues. That said, if you are a therapist yourself, there may be a few things to consider as you start your own psychotherapy journey. These include:

Professionalism: When you are both a client and a therapist, being mindful of professional boundaries can be important for avoiding conflicts of interest. Before starting therapy, it may be worth ruling out any former or current work connections, overlapping clients, or shared professional experiences, such as clinical supervision or training. 

Expertise: The mental health concerns therapists face are often unique, and navigating them can be complicated. That’s why it may be worth making sure your therapist can provide the help you need. It can be helpful to look for someone who specializes in supporting mental health workers or other “helping” professions, like nurses, teachers, or social workers. 

Stigma: Although mental health awareness is on the rise, stigma about mental illness still exists. This can be especially true for therapists, who may face pressure to manage mental health challenges on their own. Recognizing the importance of getting therapy may help combat this, both initially and long-term. 

As you begin your search for a therapist, keeping these points in mind may be helpful for respecting professional boundaries while making sure you get the right support for your situation. 

How do I find mental health support as a therapist?

Finding the right counselor can be challenging when you’re a therapist. That said, there are a few strategies that may be helpful as you start your search. These include:

Through other therapists: While it can be important to avoid conflicts of interest, other mental health professionals may still be a useful resource. You might consider seeking recommendations from therapists outside your area. If appropriate, asking people in your network how they navigate their own mental health challenges may also be helpful. 

Through professional resources: Professional organizations can be another key source of information for therapists. These associations may be able to provide counseling recommendations, resources, and advice for following legal and ethical rules. Conferences, support groups, and other networking events are other places you may be able to find help. 

Through directories: If you already know what sort of help you’re looking for, using a therapist directory, either online or through a professional organization, might be another option. Professional directories may help you find someone who specializes in helping mental healthcare workers and minimize the risk of overlapping professional networks. 

Through online therapy: One challenge mental health profession also may face when starting counseling is finding a therapist who understands their unique challenges. Online therapy platforms may be a helpful resource for this. They can allow you to be matched with a licensed therapist based on your needs, preferences, and location with the option to change therapists whenever you like. 

Online therapy has been found to be an effective treatment for various mental health concerns that therapists may face. In 2017, researchers reviewed more than 300 research papers on internet-based therapy, concluding that it was effective for treating symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and more.