Sure, therapists have a tough job listening to people who are struggling. I have a friend who is a T and she does a lot of self-care and very seldom does her work impact her negatively. The only times I've seen her stressed is when she's working with a suicidal client. And that is usually only temporary because the resolution is quick.

But what my T has said to me is how exciting it is to witness progress and transformation of a client. Think of a T as a midwife. A midwife is there to assist and help the mother who is giving birth. But, even as empathic and sympathetic as she may be, SHE is not the one going through the pain of labor. AND, the midwife gets to share in the joy of new birth.

So, maybe if you saw your T as a midwife, you might not feel so badly for her. And if she is the professional that you say she is, she does know how to access her own self-care.