I think what makes a therapist effective is that they can stay removed from the daily crap that goes on between people. However, they cannot remove themselves from their own daily crap. Also, I think they have the added pressure that others believe they have some special ESP, that may set the expectations of family members a bit higher. I think they have the knowledge to be better parents but MAY not have the distance (objectivity) needed to utilize it in their own relationships. Bottom line they are imperfect people just like everyone else.