Does having been in therapy really make a therapist better at their job?

Not sure if it makes them better but I am convinced that it makes them suck less at it

I definitely think being in therapy themselves makes a better therapist. However, it's probably more of a correlation than actual causation since there are so many variables. While I haven't worked with very many therapists, the one I have now is very good (incredibly tough at times, but she is able to see past my BS). She has told me before she sees a therapist. In my experience of working with her, she is incredibly self aware. This may sound ironic though considering her changes of boundaries in the past, so I hope this even makes sense lol. I once saw a therapist in junior high and high school who looking back, was nothing compared to my current T... sorry that sounds harsh. Everything was so surface-level and aimless. I don't know if that T was ever in therapy, but I do think actually being in therapy is the best way to learn how to be a therapist. You can learn all sorts of things in school, but I don't think it's anywhere near as powerful as experiencing them firsthand and knowing how to dig deep inside yourself, so that you can dig deep with your clients.

I'm not sure, but I think it's a requirement of training here. So, as R is still in training, I presume she has been/is going through therapy herself. Her default setting seems to be compassionate human being, though...which is no bad thing, after the challenge of P.