I know my therapist has had her own life struggles. She does mention them from time to time mostly, I believe to show that she can relate to what I am going or have gone through. It is also much easier to know what one should do than it is to actually do it all the time. Myself and with my work (in psych unit) one of biggest issues with patients is medication compliance. It is something we discuss with them all the time. Yet in my personal life it is something I struggle with all the time. I go through spells were I take them regularly and then go weeks at a time where I do not.

As far as working ofter the death of a loved one. I would imagine they are like many people in that the best way to cope with the pain is to stay busy and not think about the loved one all the time. By focusing on their work they are helping other people and forgetting about their own pain even if it is very short term.