Posted by pandora on May 19, 2001, at 0:56:02
In reply to Re: Have most therapists been depressed themselves?, posted by GANDALF on May 15, 2001, at 15:13:19
> For what it's worth, I'm a registered Psychologist ("therapist") and have suffered with 'treatment-resistant' depression for years. I know quite a few colleagues who also have had bouts of depression. I don't think being a depressive *qualifies* me to help clients better than my non-depressed colleagues, but perhaps it does help in terms of empathy?
Also, FWIW, a very wise professor in my graduate psych program reminded us all that the similarities in the human experience far outweigh the differences. So many feelings, emotions, fears, and hopes are common to all mankind that, although a therapist may not have "walked a mile in your shoes", chances are, s/he will be able to understand and use his/her professional training to help.
Erin
poster:pandora
thread:5977
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010511/msgs/6069.html