[confused_77]

Have you ever asked your therapist why they chose this career? Are you curious why people chose to listen to peoples suffering all day long?

[stopdog]

The first one had a horrible mother and the second one had horrible parents and hated being a mother and wife. They both hired a therapist and found it useful and decided to become a therapist because it's inside, and there's very little oversight, accountability, math, or heavy lifting.

[SprinkL3]

I've wanted to ask, but chickened out. I might ask later on, but I'll wait for the right timing. I don't know why I'm afraid of asking that question. LOL.

[atisketatasket]

The majority answer has been “people were always telling me their problems, so I decided to get paid for it.” (This never takes into account whether they are any good at it.)

The best answer was “I find the field of psychology intellectually engaging and I’ve been a patient in the mental health care system myself.”

[KLL85]

I’ve asked my current and past three therapists this question and all of them refused to answer it as they saw it as crossing boundaries. I personally don’t see why they had an issue with it.

[Rive.]

Of course. For me, this is a basic question.

Typically, Ts don't go into the profession to make oodles of money. That's for greedy lawyers. So, it is interesting to know the 'why'.

[confused_77]

Originally Posted by KLL85

I’ve asked my current and past three therapists this question and all of them refused to answer it as they saw it as crossing boundaries. I personally don’t see why they had an issue with it.

I dont see it as crossing bounderies - its a bit of a **** answer. I think to know why they are in
it gives you a better idea of who they are as professionals.

[confused_77]

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

The majority answer has been “people were always telling me their problems, so I decided to get paid for it.” (This never takes into account whether they are any good at it.)

I wouldnt like that answer. Does that imply lack of assertivness?

The best answer was “I find the field of psychology intellectually engaging and I’ve been a patient in the mental health care system myself.”

I think a lot of therapists have been at the recieving end of the mental health care system before they start their training

[confused_77]

Originally Posted by Rive.

Of course. For me, this is a basic question.

Typically, Ts don't go into the profession to make oodles of money. That's for greedy lawyers. So, it is interesting to know the 'why'.

What answers did you get?

[confused_77]

Originally Posted by stopdog

The first one had a horrible mother and the second one had horrible parents and hated being a mother and wife. They both hired a therapist and found it useful and decided to become a therapist because it's inside, and there's very little oversight, accountability, math, or heavy lifting.

Very little accountability indeed

[ArtleyWilkins]

My first therapist was an educator first, and he saw a need among the students he was working with and added the training and licensing to move his career focus in a slightly different direction.

My second therapist was a pastor, and he also saw a need among the members of his congregations, so he went back to school to add formal training and licensing.

My last therapist did not go initially into psychology - I seem to remember him saying he started on a business degree or something (not sure about that - can't quite remember). He told the story of helping his college roommate's mother move her office - she happened to be a psychologist. In the course of the week or so he was helping her, they talked a lot and he became interested. He continued to learn a bit and decided to completely switch his career focus to psychology.

None of my therapists dealt with their own mental illness issues that I was ever aware of, and they all came from very steady family backgrounds. They just felt a need to change their focus and/or pursue an interest.

[confused_77]

None of my therapists dealt with their own mental illness issues that I was ever aware of, and they all came from very steady family backgrounds. They just felt a need to change their focus and/or pursue an interest.[/QUOTE]

Not saying its not true but I do wonder how accurate this is. Would you know if they were dealing with or in the past delt with mental health issues. Also steady family background can be deseptive...
Plus we know whatever they chose to tell us, isnt it??

[ArtleyWilkins]

Originally Posted by confused_77

None of my therapists dealt with their own mental illness issues that I was ever aware of, and they all came from very steady family backgrounds. They just felt a need to change their focus and/or pursue an interest.

Not saying its not true but I do wonder how accurate this is. Would you know if they were dealing with or in the past delt with mental health issues. Also steady family background can be deseptive...
Plus we know whatever they chose to tell us, isnt it??[/QUOTE]

Yes, they were quite open with me. For instance, I remember my second therapist talking about having experience depression for the first time (while I was seeing him) when his son had become quite ill and died. He had never experienced that level of depression before until then and he was sharing it with me to make that point that he was gaining a different understanding of depression.

They were all very open about their histories - very much open books about themselves and their families, etc. We've become sort of long-term old acquaintances since, so I'm pretty confident they've been honest and open with me over the decades we have known each other as friends now.

[Waterbear]

I did ask my T this. She said she was a teaching assistant, and saw so much pain and suffering in the children she was working with, but could do very little to help because it wasn't her position. She found it hard, so she made it her position to become a counsellor. She mainly worked with children I think, though I'm sure she did see other adults too.

[Amyjay]

One of mine said she really wanted to be a vet, but then realized she'd have to euthanize animals. So becoming a psychologist was the next best thing.

Another said she didn't know what courses to take in college and her friends were doing psych, so thought she would too. (Her skill set and manner were actually a pretty good match for me.)

Another was a drug addict before coming clean and doing her own therapy. She then trained as a teacher but found that wasn't for her. So then she retrained as a psychologist.

[bachir]

I've never really cared why a therapist chose to do it tbh, but my last therapist was honest about her struggles with depression. She did it in the context of helping others understand that she knows what it's like, and I could certainly appreciate that.

Then, about a month ago, I was talking with a dear friend who happens to be a licensed clinical social worker (technically she's retired now), and she was telling me that a lot of therapists going into it seeking to help others in areas they too have dealt with personally, hence they have a better knowledge and understanding of a certain area. An example could be a drug addict turning therapist, a life coach or whatnot.

It's crazy how many possible reasons they become one out there, but with 8 billion people in the world I guess that's to be expected.

[ChickenNoodleSoup]

I have never asked. But I do know the steps in his career, which started with being a doctor and/or surgeon in various hospitals for almost 20 years. From what I know about him, that probably was way too stressful for him. He also became a father around the time where he started his psychiatric career. So I assume it's a mixture of wanting to be in the medical field for whatever reason and having a job where you can manage your time the way you can as a psychiatrist where I live.

Regarding mental struggles, I do know he has struggled with some stuff at some points - though not the details - but he has also told me that he has never struggled with anything that is more severe.

[Mountaindewed]

It was pretty obvious my transference T had issues mental health or otherwise. I don’t know if that’s why she became a therapist. My weirdo therapist I can guess pretty well why she went into therapy. And my bigot therapist I have no idea and I don’t think it’s the right occupation for her. My current one I don’t know why and I don’t feel like it’s my business knowing.

I had a best friend from kindergarten until right before 7th grade started and I had issues with her and she turned against me because that’s when I started having issues. It was my fault, but well we were also 12 year old Jr. High kids in the first place. But then I started having behavior issues at school that weren’t related to her they were related to acting out towards the teachers but it wasn’t helping that her and her friends started spreading all kinds of rumors that I was gay and doing other stuff so making new friends was impossible. Now she is a social worker and my therapist and my mom believe that she became a social worker because of what she did to me in Jr. High. Kinda interesting really.

So I’m guessing there’s some of that going on in the mental health field.

[HALLIEBETH87]

From my insight…most people go into the field because they have a passion to help others navigate this difficult thing we call life. My social worker friends all understand mental illness on a personal level whether they have it or others close to them!

Me?
I wanna give back to the universe what one of my therapists gave me: Hope.

[AliceKate]

Originally Posted by confused_77

I dont see it as crossing bounderies - its a bit of a **** answer. I think to know why they are in
it gives you a better idea of who they are as professionals.

Depends on the answer. If the answer isn't a standard answer and more complex than they'd like to disclose, they might be right to say it would cross a boundary. If so, isn't it better for them to say this rather then lie?

[nottrustin]

I have asked this question of both of my Ts and they answered with reservations

Long term T: in school she was the go to person when her friends were struggling. She realized she enjoyed do it and realized she xould make a career out of helping people.

Current T studied anthropology in college. She enjoyed learning about how people think and react. She thought she wanted to be a therapist but wasn't sure so she spent time working with teens at a residential wildnerness can. After a coupleof tears she realized she couldn't imagine doing anything else. So she went back ro school to vecome a LCSW.

Long rerm T was a therapist for over 40 years. Current T 15 years and she can't imagine doing anything else.

[LonesomeTonight]

I don't think I've asked current T or ex-T. I never actually asked my former marriage counselor, but he shared early on that he had "an anxiety disorder" (as do I) and also eventually shared some issues he had with his father. So I imagine with him, it's at least partly due to his personal history. He also strikes me as the sort who has a need to help people. Interestingly, he has also worked at the wilderness camps nottrustin mentioned and helps do placements there as part of his current practice (well, he did when we were seeing him).

I didn't ask my current T before because I didn't think he'd be willing to answer. But he's been much more open since the pandemic, so maybe that's something I'll ask him soon. (Either that, or I asked him, and his answer was so generic, I blocked it out!)

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

The majority answer has been “people were always telling me their problems, so I decided to get paid for it.” (This never takes into account whether they are any good at it.)

The best answer was “I find the field of psychology intellectually engaging and I’ve been a patient in the mental health care system myself.”

I didn't ask any of the T's as I thought they would snap at me.

It's interesting how the majority replied, I also think there are plenty of T's who are no good at it.

I have a couple of friends (not close) who are T's. They would tend to answer with better answers I think, including having been a patient in the mental health system themselves.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by KLL85

I’ve asked my current and past three therapists this question and all of them refused to answer it as they saw it as crossing boundaries. I personally don’t see why they had an issue with it.

I don't agree with those four therapists! Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. I see no useful reason why they had an issue with this question.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by stopdog

The first one had a horrible mother and the second one had horrible parents and hated being a mother and wife. They both hired a therapist and found it useful and decided to become a therapist because it's inside, and there's very little oversight, accountability, math, or heavy lifting.

Very little accountability. Agreed...