Not only do I think people with mental illness can be good therapists, I almost feel it should be a requirement. How on earth can we expect these people to really "get it" if they haven't experienced it? We'd be best served to encourage people who find stability and who have a helping personality to go into these professions. There are some challenges which need to be overcome though. Getting rid of "Ego" and transference being at the top of the list. By ego I mean, it's very common for people to have an "if I can do it so can you" attitude....we need to be humble and understand that each person has unique challenges. The more debilitated a person is by symptoms, the less likely they can be successful at school and life. So a person who gets through school and sees a patient who is not able to be employed is sometimes inclined to have the attitude of "if I could do it, so can you". This attitude is more harmful than helpful. It's important to figure out WHY a person hasn't had success and work with the patient to find solutions, rather than blanket ignorant judgement. Transference is far too easy to fall into also. When I go to group therapy I absorb other people's pain. I feel I could probably learn to work on this though. I'd like to be a therapist. My physical issues mean I cannot be employed in something requires me to stand or do anything active but I can "talk" most of the time. Stress sends me over the edge though and the first time I had a sociopath in my office would likely be my last day of work.

If you think you've got the "stuff" to be a therapist, then go for it. We need more people who really "get it" in the profession. Unfortunately I really believe that the majority of people who select positions of power are the last people who should have them. The more confident people are about giving advise, the less aptitude they have for giving it. This is not ALWAYS the case, but sadly is the case FAR too often.