Do you think psychologist ever need to see their own psychologist?

Question

I'm just wondering, i'm interested in being a neuropsychologist, but lately i've been having my own bouts of depression... i'm just wondering you're general opinions

Answer 1

I am a psychologist and I think it is necessary for my mental hygiene to have sessions with a therapist or supervisor or personal coach regularly.
Working with other people and teaching and training triggers a lot of issues within me.
To be able to
*be open and sensitive to your clients and yourself,
*to take control and to trust the process and
*to be intellectually clear and to know your stuff and
*to maintain professional distance
is quite a task.
As a psychologist YOU are the main instrument you work with. That instrument needs maintenance.
So I need to take good care of myself.

Answer 2

Very frequently, people enter the field of psychology to discover the root of problems in either (a) him/herself, or (b) someone he/she loves. It is very common for psychologists, or psych students, to see someone on their own.

It is not, however, a prerequisite for a psych degree, as another poster suggested. I am currently applying for graduate problems in clinical psychology, and I've never seen any mention of that. The training and different orientations you will learn about will teach you more than individual counseling could. (Not that it couldn't help at all).

But yes, psychologists often see their own psychologists. Perhaps it is just a respect for the profession that is often absent in general society, or maybe it's part of the reason they're drawn towards psychology in the first place.

Answer 3

yes- most psychologist see a psychologist. I want to be a child psychologist and help abused or molested children simply because the problem is the same that i had. i want to make people who feel the same as me feel better. alot of psychologist become what they are simply because they have gone through the same and can relate to their clients better.

Answer 4

All therapists-in-training have to have their own therapist--it's part of the process. Your desire to be a neuropsych is very admirable, and having some depression should in no way deter you from that goal. I would seek out a good therapist (may take more than one try) and work on your own issues. Taking your psych classes are often very revealing as well. If you school has classes in assessment (possibly in a school of education at your university) that would be helpful prior to your graduate school entrance--lots of assessment in that field! Also, any neurobiology classes as well. Good luck to you!

Answer 5

Yeah lol, they get a discount, duh....

No, seriously: can you IMAGINE what psychologists see and hear on a daily basis? Its actually quite common for them to have their own sessions with another colleague, just so that their heads stay straight.

Answer 6

the best psychologists are those who have true empathy.
Going through depression and succeeding will make you understand where your patient is coming from.
Don't give up on the depressed or give into depression.

Answer 7

ahaa yeah,
the problems and ways of life
of their client
and conmtagious
the psychologist
maybe 'accidently' absorbing
this problem & life
situations b/c they are around these people so much
:P

Answer 8

i don't know
but i know i would probably need to see one if i was a psychologist..
woww just thinking about it ahh
all they do is listen to everyones problems!!

Answer 9

If you don´t believe in therapy, you can´t treat your future patients that way, right? ;) So: yes.

Answer 10

hahaha nice question lol
no they don't, to get that job, you have to be normal