A lot of counselors and psychologists BECOME what they are because of their own personal problems. They know how hard it was for them to deal with and they want to help others. If you have the ability to, you need to get help. If you are able to get yourself under control, you will not have a problem becoming whatever you want to be. And I agree with Leed....no one would want you to treat their children if you didn't treat yourself first. On the contrary, a lot of your future patients would probably have great respect for you knowing that you know what it is like to have a mental illness, and that you were able to fight it and win!