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[sylvanmeanders]

someone said recently, "i thought the only people who got psych degrees are crazy people trying to figure out how to not be crazy..." which got me thinking.  addicts in recovery counsel addicts trying to be in recovery.  the formerly abused counsel the still-being abused.  why shouldn't crazy people counsel crazy people?  surely they're the only

Comments

[nahele_101]

Most of the therapists I know come from some pretty messed up backgrounds. So yes, heal thyself.

[gonzo21]

By contrast the ones I've known were all very sane and well balanced. But '4' is hardly a representative sample size. :)

[sylvanmeanders]

you've known them only in a professional capacity, though. if you met me under the same conditions, you'd think i was way different to the me that goes on inside my head.

[gonzo21]

I've had conversations with all of them at some point or another about how they handle the stresses of what they do. Which is how I found out about the therapy systems they all take part in as part of their jobs. Which seemed like a pretty good system. They've always got an appointment with another therapist every couple of weeks to discuss their patients and any issues that have come up that might have affected them personally.

Which seemed very sensible to me.

[marginaleye]

I'm reminded of the concept of the shaman as a "wounded healer." In many cultures, the strongest sign of having a vocation to become a shaman is barely surviving a grave illness -- such people have gone, as it were, to the very edge of the otherworld, and yet returned, and thus know the route.

[sylvanmeanders]

i like this!

[gonzo21]

I think the reason is because a counsellor spends a lot of time delving into the dark and negative energies of their patients, stirring up things that could be extremely triggering, but they absolutely cannot let anything become about their own pain.

Which is why, in the NHS at least, the counsellors are often enrolled in counselling programs themselves, so that they always have the help and support they need to not take any of that negative energy home with them.

But I expect everybody is different. Certainly for me, my depression is very triggered by direct exposure to other peoples depression.

You haven't had any counselling or therapy in many years, have you? Describing yourself as being permanently broken, is it not possible that some therapy might help with that feeling?

*hugs*

[sylvanmeanders]

not that i wouldn't go to a therapist were it feasible, but no, they wouldn't be able to help with the "permanently broken" bits. they come from broken trust and death. can't fix those things. what therapy would do is help me handle those facets of my life that i can't change but that bring me down. because therapy with an outside person isn't feasible, i have to counsel myself. ultimately the goal of things like cognitive behavioral therapy is to get the patient healing themselves anyway. recognize the triggers, self-manage the damaging behaviors.

as to overload by other people's shit; i'm ok one on one. i can take on projects (other people's shit) in that capacity. it's groups of people i can't handle. there's far too much and too scattered energies all polluting me. one on one, i can keep grounded, or ground after.

[gonzo21]

Out of curiosity, what would you say to a patient if they told you they were permanently broken?

[sylvanmeanders]

i would want to know where, how, why, how it manifests, and where it interrupts optimal performance. then the decision of its permanence can be made, and ways to handle it/change it would be practiced. they could be right, but they could be wrong. either way, the goal is to be able to function to their best ability, regardless.

[jehannamama]

My daughter does counseling.
I do know a few sane people who are into it, but most are drawn because they are trying to figure out something about themselves or someone close to them.
I don't think it's that unusual and it is a good motivation. Plus, frankly, it can give one more empathy for another who has issues.

[grows]

(hugs) I can relate to a lot of this. I think you'll be a great healer/therapist.