For a number of years, I've been interested in Dr. Marsha Linehan's work in developing and implementing DBT. I've watched tapes of her using her techniques or talking about DBT. I've attended workshops teaching DBT techniques, but I've never met or listened to Linehan in person. I will say that even on CD she's a pretty calm, rational and interesting person. She's pretty straight forward in her approach to her clients and their self-injury and suicidal ideation.

It was fascinating to me that when she "came out" as a person who suffered from borderline personality disorder, that she talked about having scars on her arms that clients often noticed and asked her about. I guess she was able to effectively dodge those questions, which doesn't surprise me because her dry humor and calm demeanor tell me that she could probably handle anything.

Personally, I don't think I'd be bothered by a therapist's scars. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt and think that scars are a personal issue and none of my business. I might wonder, but I wouldn't ask. If they weren't fresh cuts or injuries, I wouldn't be put off. I think people have a wide variety of life experiences and I sure as heck don't want to be seeing someone who has NO IDEA how rough and tumble things are out there in the real world. I like to think that I'd appreciate her scars as evidence that she knew what terrible things stalked a person but that she was able to get through the horror.

I think I'm pretty good at determining if someone is still caught up in the horror or drama of a hard life. I don't fault those who haven't been able to get themselves out of a "bad" situation, I get it that sometimes one gets stuck or caught in a trap, but I wouldn't want that person to be my therapist, trying to lead me out of the minefield. I've met more than a few individuals who have no right to be therapists at that particular point in their lives--they weren't bad people, they were just stuck in trying to fix their personal problems and needing a job at any cost. I know that when I went through my own personal "rough patch", I got out of the business and did something else until I was better. Not everyone has the same options as I did, but I still regret that there isn't some kind of thing to prevent people who are unstable from being "on the job".

Anyway, I don't think I'd be bothered by a therapist who had healed scars. All that matters to me is that the therapist understands me, is skillful and sticks with me through all my crap! I sure don't want to wade through her stuff!!!