Do you think... that if a therapist has an active eating disorder - she can effectively do therapy with a client that has an eating disorder???

I say not.... I was in that situtaion.. and... just don't "see it"... I feel like she "screwed me up" worse...

This came up in therapy... with my new T... the question was.. do you not trust my skills and my training...

and I thought "well hell NO"...

cause I was with a therapist that had "skills and training" and was screwed up...she has more stress in her life.. plus the ED.. all of which came "out" at me....

so my answer.... is... if a T has "skills and training" PLUS is a balanced ... centered person... then YES... I do trust that T..

my new T.. didn't "get it"...

[happyflowergirl]

I think it makes a lot of sense to me. My old prof. who is a practicing T said that when he was going through his divorce, he didn't take on any cases for 2 years that had to do with divorce because he felt he couldn't be objective on either side.

All T's has some weak area because of their past lives, make them less effective in those areas. Sometimes it make them understand more, but only if those issues are worked out and put to rest.

I don't see having an active eating disorder would be a good thing for working with clients of the same disorder, unless they have been treated and have worked through it. But that is just what I think.

I think one of the worst thing a T can do is not take care of their own issues (all T's have them) BEFORE they begin practicing.

IN my opinion, NO.

I had a terrible ED for years and I worked with a T to help me "recover." In order for her to help me she had to be able to talk about food, feelings, and actions. She had to be strong enough to put me in the hospital when she thought my life was threatened. She had to be comfortable eating in front of me and talking about what she ate.

ED are so hard to overcome, you need the strongest therapist who is healthy to work on your recovery.

How can she be a ROLE model for you, if she is actively "hurting herself" with her ED?

[Perna]

I haven't had a therapist who told me their problems so I wouldn't know if a therapist had a problem or not. I guess if I had an eating disorder I was in therapy for and the therapist was obese or looked too thin to me, I'd not want them for my therapist but unless a therapist had "obvious" other problems, were depressed seeming or anxious, etc. I wouldn't mind if they were obese or too thin if I was there for something other than an eating disorder.

[ziggy1]

NOOOOO!

[ziggy1]

Thats what there getteing paid for!!!!!!!!

[unpredictable]

I don't think that if a T is currently struggling with any type of disorder that they are very effective for clients. Yes they may say some good things however, if they are currently struggling they should probably take a break and work more on themselves.

If they had a history of somthing like this but they are now living a healthy balanced life they can be a great T because they not only have skills and training but they also have personal insight.

[RozG]

freewill, i wouldn't trust a T with an active eating disorder to help you with anything as she'd obviously be screwed up herself.

I would have a difficult time if my therapist had an eating disorder or struggled with self-injury. I don't expect my therapist to be perfect, but I expect him to be healthy and well emotionally. If that makes any sense.

[embarassed]

I think a therapist who has struggled with an eating disorder or other mental illness but now has it under control would be an excellent therapist because she would be able to understand the patients better. However, I would NOT go to a mental health professional who has an active eating disorder or any other kind of uncontrolled mental illness.