Posted by orchid on May 24, 2006, at 21:27:10
In reply to does mental health issues preclude someone from..., posted by shrinking violet on May 24, 2006, at 20:06:30
Hi SV,
Though I think for being a therapist you don't need to be perfect, there are some points which are perhaps important and which you should consider personally before becoming a T.
Being a T is an extremely emotionally draining and many times emotionally confusing job. Even for a very mentally health person to start with, it might be difficult to cope up with all the demands of their patients and their unburdening of their stories onto them. So if we are mentally challenged to start with, coping up with the stress would probably become lot more difficult.
The reasons why you want to become a therapist might end up not being satisfied. I feel and have read that many patients end up becoming therapists in the hope of becoming somewhat special to their own Ts. Also, I think it could be because of your still unresolved feelings for your T and your own emotions around it. Also it might be a subconscious attemtp to set right what failed in your relationship with your T. And also, it might be an attempt to imitate the Ts rather than follow what your original hearts desire. When we like someone, we want to be like them, so we tend to imitate their profession.
True love of the subject and the patience to deal with the rigorous and monotonous and boring nature of the therapists job is kind of difficult I feel.
Above said are only my guesses and questions. However you know best what you want for you in your life. Maybe look at what you want really from being a therapist. And envision yourself sitting hour after hour with difficult and demanding patients, and see if you will be able to cope up with that without losing your mental balance.
If you still think that is the right decision after thinking it over throughly, then I don't see any reason why you shouldn't become a T.
I don't know if this post sounds offensive - if so, then that is not the intention. I put it as best as I know how to.
poster:orchid
thread:648075
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060517/msgs/648131.html