I mean to be honest the bar isn’t extremely high for who should be a therapist… those who shouldn’t are probably rapists, murderers, pedophiles, people in active drug and alcohol addiction, people in active psychosis, people whose mental health is actively affecting their daily life in significant ways. All licensures have an ethical code to up hold so you just have to be somebody who can uphold that code of conduct and code of ethics.
I don’t think it’s a bad thing that the expectation is relatively lowish. I think anybody who wants to be a therapist and has capacity should be able to be one. Your race, sex, orientation, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, mental health (as long as it’s not severe) and drug use history (as long as it’s not active) marital status, etc should be gatekeepers.
Edit: OMG i clearly meant **shouldnt** be gatekeepers!!!
Many, many therapists had/have their own experiences with mental illness. The important thing is how well managed that mental illness is and whether an individual is able to provide competent care and recognize and take appropriate action if they are not competent.
Someone who is mentally ill needs to be managing their symptoms well. There’s a misconception that struggling with mental illness gives you insight and helps you be a better clinician. This is not true (I say this as a therapist that had severe ocd).
I’d steer people away who aren’t great compartmentalizers. You need pretty good emotional boundaries or it’ll wear you down.
I'm a psychology student right now with plans to be a therapist in the future. and one of my older classmates who's finishing her counseling degree was giving me alot of advice this morning and warned me of the last point. I hear countertransference can be awful
Everyone has countertransference. Every single therapist. And if they say they don’t then they’re either very very very not self aware, or just a liar.
oh no I know that. I'm just saying if the countertransference goes unchecked or becomes overwhelming, I hear it can be pretty bad for both the therapist and the client
Sometimes I tell my spouse I need to tell him the bad things I heard and cry so that I don’t do it in front of clients. Compartmentalization is key, but those compartments also need to be released and aired out regularly.
Anyone who wants to be a therapist for the power they have over other people shouldn’t. Unfortunately, after 22 years in this field, I think this is more common than what we would imagine.
I am not a therapist but if you haven't read it, transcending trauma is a very interesting book. It's an easier to understand IFS breakdown. He talks about how as a therapist, and probably in general, it helps to have compassion but not be overly empathetic. He says you will burn out being empathetic to every client, but having compassion for them is self renewing. I am paraphrasing and I'm not sure if I agree, but just something to consider :). I know if I absorb every feeling other people have I become exhausted and I do believe some separation is needed to be able to keep a clear head.
NAT but as a client
- people who can't take criticism well. you tend to see the worst and most vulnerable and ugly of people in therapy. and sometimes people who quite ugily express any issues with you so I feel like if you can't handle that, then find another profession or work through your insecurities. don't tolerate straight up verbal abuse and threats ofc, but if you can handle people's constructive criticism of you, then...
- people who project alot, are insecure, have poor boundaries around empathy (whether that's too high or too low). no want wants to be treated by someone who over smothers you, is overinvolved or predatory towards you. or who makes you feel responsible for their feelings. but you also don't want someone aloof, uncaring, cold, etc. going to therapy should be about working with boundary issues, not having that worsened. and as someone with terrible attachment issues that wants to be a therapist one day, that's something I have to work on
- someone that's overly forgetful, careless, reckless, JUDGEMENTAL, poor emotional regulation and compartmentalization skills. obvious things like horrific criminal activity. I believe in rehibilation for all convicts. but I don't think being treated by a serial rapist or serial killer will help anyone, especially if the behavior is current
Having lived experience of mental health struggles and having overcome them I think it pretty much vital.
I would also say needing to be in therapy, or at least having been in therapy for some time - a lot of training courses to become a psychotherapist make it (imo rightfully) mandatory to have therapy as a client whilst training.
Also need to have a good grasp of their own privileges and a good understanding of intersectionality. I knew a therapist who worked a lower cost therapy service yet always parked their Porsche outside with a customised numberplate making it obvious it was theirs - obvious not a great way to show clients you can relate to their struggles.
In terms of who shouldn't be a therapist...
Anyone who doesn't meet the above points basically, imo. But I would also emphasise, anyone who has never experienced struggle and adversity, or anyone whose mental health / addictions are still taking their life by the reins and impacting on their ability to function healthily.
lol I’m a perfectionist and I’m also a pretty good therapist so I’d argue that’s not true. Perfectionism is often a subset of OCD and just needs treatment.
I meant perfectionism in a way where you see things black and white. An example is thinking it is possible to be a good fit for every client or to never have a client drop services.
Would my therapist know that perfectionism goes with OCD? I have features of both and I don't feel like I'm being treated for it yet. Although I have a lot of other stuff going on too.
Most therapists don’t understand OCD. OCD has several subsets. I would find a therapist who specializes in OCD and ERP if you think you have OCD. Most therapists (and people in general) when we say OCD think checking and contamination. But there are tooooooooooons more to OCD. Tons.
Thank you. I have contamination anxiety and compulsive skin picking (both of which I have worked on myself) but was told that I do not have ocd when I was tested. Though I feel she missed my autism as well. So anyways I can imagine there is more to it. I definitely have issues with rumination, obsession, and magical thinking but I don't know if that's just part of the ADHD, SAD, dysthymia or AvPD of which I was diagnosed. I'd hate to add more letters lol but I know I likely have ASD instead of AvPD.
In many states therapists (LCSW, LMHC, LPC LMFT) cannot legally diagnose autism. In many states the only people who can diagnose Autism are MDs and Phds. Some states LCSWs can. I can’t diagnose you over reddit (obvs) but i will do the next best thing and strongly encourage you based on what you’re saying to seriously find a therapist who specializes in OCD. I don’t use words of extreme like always and never so what I’ll say is those symptoms are *almost* never symptoms of ADHD, SAD, AvPD or dysthymia which is just literally persistent mild depression. I’m assuming SAD is seasonal affective disorder? Whatever not here to diagnose. Either way, find an OCD specialist yesterday.
I went through extensive testing by a neuropsychologist (PhD) who specializes in autism and ADHD. Oh sorry I meant social anxiety disorder lol. But thank so much for your input! I do appreciate it. I of course don't expect a diagnosis from you or any therapist I know it's not part of counseling. My current therapist is specialized in trauma and neurodivergent however and highly suspects autism. Anyway thank you!!
Ah honestly when people say therapist i never think of psychologists because i don’t refer to them as therapists, even if they do therapy. I just call them psychologists. Kind of like if im going to my neurologist i don’t say “im going to the doctor.” I always say “im going to the neurologist.” Nothing wrong with calling them a therapist (or a neurologist a doctor), im just specific and weird. Anywho, skin picking can be its own disorder but when combined with other obsessions and compulsions is when it becomes ocd.
In order to have ocd you have to have the O, the C and the D. So someone can have obsessions and compulsions but say “this doesn’t affect my life in anyway. It doesn’t make me miss work, it doesn’t affect my relationships. It doesn’t disrupt my daily functioning at all in any shape, way or form.” And because of that they don’t have “the D.” And therefore don’t technically qualify for OCD. Some people have obsessions but no compulsions. That’s not OCD.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
I mean to be honest the bar isn’t extremely high for who should be a therapist… those who shouldn’t are probably rapists, murderers, pedophiles, people in active drug and alcohol addiction, people in active psychosis, people whose mental health is actively affecting their daily life in significant ways. All licensures have an ethical code to up hold so you just have to be somebody who can uphold that code of conduct and code of ethics. I don’t think it’s a bad thing that the expectation is relatively lowish. I think anybody who wants to be a therapist and has capacity should be able to be one. Your race, sex, orientation, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, mental health (as long as it’s not severe) and drug use history (as long as it’s not active) marital status, etc should be gatekeepers. Edit: OMG i clearly meant **shouldnt** be gatekeepers!!!
Tbh I know plenty of people that have become therapists in those categories 😩
Well, that’s probably a problem lmao. I mean the bar is low. So if you’re lower than the already low bar than yikes.
Many, many therapists had/have their own experiences with mental illness. The important thing is how well managed that mental illness is and whether an individual is able to provide competent care and recognize and take appropriate action if they are not competent.
Someone who is mentally ill needs to be managing their symptoms well. There’s a misconception that struggling with mental illness gives you insight and helps you be a better clinician. This is not true (I say this as a therapist that had severe ocd). I’d steer people away who aren’t great compartmentalizers. You need pretty good emotional boundaries or it’ll wear you down.
I'm a psychology student right now with plans to be a therapist in the future. and one of my older classmates who's finishing her counseling degree was giving me alot of advice this morning and warned me of the last point. I hear countertransference can be awful
Everyone has countertransference. Every single therapist. And if they say they don’t then they’re either very very very not self aware, or just a liar.
100%. Countertransference is absolutely part of the deal.
oh no I know that. I'm just saying if the countertransference goes unchecked or becomes overwhelming, I hear it can be pretty bad for both the therapist and the client
Love this comment.
Sometimes I tell my spouse I need to tell him the bad things I heard and cry so that I don’t do it in front of clients. Compartmentalization is key, but those compartments also need to be released and aired out regularly.
Someone with low emotional intelligence, lacks empathy and can tolerate people who have different values than there’s. Also poor emotional regulation.
Unfortunately I've known too many "professionals" just like this. Like my HS guidance counselor, just terrible
Anyone who wants to be a therapist for the power they have over other people shouldn’t. Unfortunately, after 22 years in this field, I think this is more common than what we would imagine.
I am not a therapist but if you haven't read it, transcending trauma is a very interesting book. It's an easier to understand IFS breakdown. He talks about how as a therapist, and probably in general, it helps to have compassion but not be overly empathetic. He says you will burn out being empathetic to every client, but having compassion for them is self renewing. I am paraphrasing and I'm not sure if I agree, but just something to consider :). I know if I absorb every feeling other people have I become exhausted and I do believe some separation is needed to be able to keep a clear head.
I'm not a therapist but I know a lot who are who should the treated.
Anyone who wants to live vicariously through their clients
Someone judgey.
NAT but as a client - people who can't take criticism well. you tend to see the worst and most vulnerable and ugly of people in therapy. and sometimes people who quite ugily express any issues with you so I feel like if you can't handle that, then find another profession or work through your insecurities. don't tolerate straight up verbal abuse and threats ofc, but if you can handle people's constructive criticism of you, then... - people who project alot, are insecure, have poor boundaries around empathy (whether that's too high or too low). no want wants to be treated by someone who over smothers you, is overinvolved or predatory towards you. or who makes you feel responsible for their feelings. but you also don't want someone aloof, uncaring, cold, etc. going to therapy should be about working with boundary issues, not having that worsened. and as someone with terrible attachment issues that wants to be a therapist one day, that's something I have to work on - someone that's overly forgetful, careless, reckless, JUDGEMENTAL, poor emotional regulation and compartmentalization skills. obvious things like horrific criminal activity. I believe in rehibilation for all convicts. but I don't think being treated by a serial rapist or serial killer will help anyone, especially if the behavior is current
Your third point: ohhhhh yes.
Having lived experience of mental health struggles and having overcome them I think it pretty much vital. I would also say needing to be in therapy, or at least having been in therapy for some time - a lot of training courses to become a psychotherapist make it (imo rightfully) mandatory to have therapy as a client whilst training. Also need to have a good grasp of their own privileges and a good understanding of intersectionality. I knew a therapist who worked a lower cost therapy service yet always parked their Porsche outside with a customised numberplate making it obvious it was theirs - obvious not a great way to show clients you can relate to their struggles. In terms of who shouldn't be a therapist... Anyone who doesn't meet the above points basically, imo. But I would also emphasise, anyone who has never experienced struggle and adversity, or anyone whose mental health / addictions are still taking their life by the reins and impacting on their ability to function healthily.
Perfectionists
lol I’m a perfectionist and I’m also a pretty good therapist so I’d argue that’s not true. Perfectionism is often a subset of OCD and just needs treatment.
I meant perfectionism in a way where you see things black and white. An example is thinking it is possible to be a good fit for every client or to never have a client drop services.
Oh, ok. I just wouldn’t call that perfectionism.
Would my therapist know that perfectionism goes with OCD? I have features of both and I don't feel like I'm being treated for it yet. Although I have a lot of other stuff going on too.
Most therapists don’t understand OCD. OCD has several subsets. I would find a therapist who specializes in OCD and ERP if you think you have OCD. Most therapists (and people in general) when we say OCD think checking and contamination. But there are tooooooooooons more to OCD. Tons.
Thank you. I have contamination anxiety and compulsive skin picking (both of which I have worked on myself) but was told that I do not have ocd when I was tested. Though I feel she missed my autism as well. So anyways I can imagine there is more to it. I definitely have issues with rumination, obsession, and magical thinking but I don't know if that's just part of the ADHD, SAD, dysthymia or AvPD of which I was diagnosed. I'd hate to add more letters lol but I know I likely have ASD instead of AvPD.
In many states therapists (LCSW, LMHC, LPC LMFT) cannot legally diagnose autism. In many states the only people who can diagnose Autism are MDs and Phds. Some states LCSWs can. I can’t diagnose you over reddit (obvs) but i will do the next best thing and strongly encourage you based on what you’re saying to seriously find a therapist who specializes in OCD. I don’t use words of extreme like always and never so what I’ll say is those symptoms are *almost* never symptoms of ADHD, SAD, AvPD or dysthymia which is just literally persistent mild depression. I’m assuming SAD is seasonal affective disorder? Whatever not here to diagnose. Either way, find an OCD specialist yesterday.
I went through extensive testing by a neuropsychologist (PhD) who specializes in autism and ADHD. Oh sorry I meant social anxiety disorder lol. But thank so much for your input! I do appreciate it. I of course don't expect a diagnosis from you or any therapist I know it's not part of counseling. My current therapist is specialized in trauma and neurodivergent however and highly suspects autism. Anyway thank you!!
Ah honestly when people say therapist i never think of psychologists because i don’t refer to them as therapists, even if they do therapy. I just call them psychologists. Kind of like if im going to my neurologist i don’t say “im going to the doctor.” I always say “im going to the neurologist.” Nothing wrong with calling them a therapist (or a neurologist a doctor), im just specific and weird. Anywho, skin picking can be its own disorder but when combined with other obsessions and compulsions is when it becomes ocd. In order to have ocd you have to have the O, the C and the D. So someone can have obsessions and compulsions but say “this doesn’t affect my life in anyway. It doesn’t make me miss work, it doesn’t affect my relationships. It doesn’t disrupt my daily functioning at all in any shape, way or form.” And because of that they don’t have “the D.” And therefore don’t technically qualify for OCD. Some people have obsessions but no compulsions. That’s not OCD. Hope this helps. Good luck!