This is a really great thread. I think there are many ways to have and come to great understanding of a thing and to learn about and experience a thing without having to duplicate another's experience.

My T/Pdoc's experience with caring for me as a bipolar patient is certainly different than the path I've walked as a bipolar patient. For me, whether or not he, with his own unique training/experience (whatever that may be) can really understand and help me depends a great deal on whether or not I believe he can.