As someone who works in healthcare and has a therapist, I know all too well the struggles and pitfalls that come with finding a therapist who can work with you without treating you like a coworker. I’ve read the stories of people trying to find a therapist when they’re struggling only to be told that because they know the theory behind therapy or reasons behind mental health concerns they should be able to “fix” themselves. I hope this reaches someone that has experienced these things and makes them more comfortable finding a therapist.
This is, of course, a ridiculous idea for a number of reasons. It makes me think of how we would never tell a doctor to fix their own broken limb. Why would we assume that health professionals can do it for their mental health?
My philosophy behind being a therapist working with other healthcare professionals is to treat them the same way that I would treat any other client. If they’ve tried an intervention before, then I will take them at their word and we will move forward together to a better fitting modality.
Trust is one of the most important pieces of the therapeutic relationship. With healthcare workers, I know that it may take even more time to build that trust than with other clients. I never want to push a client to trust me or rush the process. As healthcare workers, we have seen the dark, difficult, and sometimes cruel parts of how the system works, how it treats clients, and how it treats workers. There is a stigma around receiving mental health care, and it applies to everyone, even if you thought that it wouldn’t when you entered the healthcare field.
One thing I always want to make clear when I’m working with others in healthcare is that I am never here to judge them on their work. I am here to be an assist and support to them in whatever way is needed. Sometimes this means we may address topics related to their work, but it never means that I am there to criticize how they work or to give them advice on their work. I know there is a fear of being judged when we are vulnerable with others in healthcare. I’ve felt that same fear serving as a therapist and want to make sure none of my clients feel that way because of me.
