Some people here have been very hurt by bad therapists in the past and as such don't have the most balanced view on the profession. Honestly, it's not worth getting into this argument - I learnt that the hard way.


I believe that therapists do have an increased responsibility to look after themselves and make sure they are able to do their job well - in the same way that anyone who holds the well-being of others in their hands does - a doctor, for example. If a therapist is having personal problems that really interfere with their ability to do their job, they should not be doing it at that time. They can't be expected to always be running at 100% though - just as a doctor can't be. I'm actually reading a book by a brain surgeon at the moment and he talks about how people expect him to be a superman, because to consider otherwise is too scary for them - but he's not super, he's just a human like the rest of us. Sometimes he feels a bit off, sometimes he's tired and stressed, sometimes he's got stuff on his mind. I think it can be similar with therapists.


Like I said, though, it was the nail-picking that really struck me. That's not an okay way to behave with a client. It's incredibly rude. Actually, it's more than rude - it's cruel.