I thought of an analogy for you pink, as far as being a therapist but still needing a therapist.

Think of it like a weight loss center. Imagine going to see a dietician who was a fully trained expert in nutrition and weight loss, but who was one of those women who is naturally thin and has never had to lose a pound in her life. She has never struggled with emotional eating, never had any kind of eating disorder, always been healthy.

Now imagine that there is an equally-trained expert who not only has all the tools and expertise to help you - but that person also conquered compulsive overeating, and lost over 100 pounds, and kept it off for 10 years.

Both of these people are trained, and both can help you lose weight. But only one of them *REALLY* knows what you're going thru.

It's like therapists. Sure, anyone can be a good therapist if they have the right personality and plenty of training. It's not necessary for them to have suffered a mental illness. But the fact that you have gives you that much more insight into your patients. And it can help show them that wow, even therapists get mental illnesses.

Hang in there pink. You're doing great.