> I do not understand how one can fully understand the process-- unless he/she has been through it firsthand.

I guess the idea is that one can adequately treat a broken leg even though one has never had one oneself...
One can adequately prescribe xanax and seroquel and lithium even though one has never taken them oneself...
One can successfully treat mental disorder without having experienced one oneself...

I guess that is the thought.

Not sure what I think.

I think... That adequate screening of clinicians is often lacking. I think that often people are excluded who could be great and often people are accepted who would be better being excluded.

I think... That a lot of that depends on the kind of therapy one is doing, however.

Basically... Not too sure what I think.

I'd rather see an analyst for preference, I guess.