Did you know that therapists often have their own therapists? That’s right. Therapists need their own therapists because we often have our own internal struggles that we have to work through daily. 

I’m going to get super vulnerable with you, but that’s okay, because I’m human too. Recently, I started seeing my own therapist with an EMDR focus and while I was in my first session telling my story, the therapist looked at me and said, “Everything you’re telling me leads me to believe you have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” I remember just sitting there and saying, me? I have PTSD? I just thought I suffered from bad anxiety. 

See, it’s okay to seek help no matter what you do for a living or who you are. When my anxiety got bad, I said enough is enough. I can’t keep living like this every day. So, I did something about it. Little did I know just how much going to therapy was going to help me. There were days I’d wake up and feel off for no reason. I would become irritable, cranky, worried and always felt as if something bad was going to happen. That changed when I started my own therapy. Now, I can honestly say I wake up happy and can go about my day without feeling like some dark shadow is behind me. 

However, for some reason therapy is still viewed as “taboo” by some. I’ve heard, “if you go to therapy, they’re gonna lock you in the hospital.” First thing that came to my mind when I heard this was, WHAT?! That must have been the most absurd thing I have ever heard. When I picked my mouth up from the floor, I had to set the record straight. That’s probably the last thing a therapist wants to happen, but here we are. The sad reality is that many have false views about how therapy and mental health work. 

According to the CDC in a 2021 report, about 50% of Americans will have a diagnosable mental health illness in their lifetime. Yet, 56% of that population will not seek support. That equates to about 26 million Americans that will go untreated (CDC, 2021.) However, in many European countries, mental health is prioritized to the fullest extent. In fact, mental health professionals have to receive a certain number of hours of their own therapy before they can become licensed to practice. 

With that being said, I want to point out that it’s okay to seek support when you’re struggling. Chances are the therapist you’re seeing has their own therapist and is actively working to heal themselves. Or really should be. Think of it like when your doctor is not feeling well, and they go to their own doctor for support. 

At Puglisi Counseling, we pride ourselves on breaking the stigma around mental health. Not only are we unashamed by our own experiences, but we encourage you to seek support whenever you need it. Reach out today and allow us to help you get through whatever struggles you may be experiencing.