Therapists can gain immensely from their own therapy experiences, learning many of the same lessons as their clients if they engage deeply and genuinely. This personal involvement can enhance their empathy and understanding, proving essential for professional growth. For therapists, particularly, personal therapy can be a space to navigate their vulnerabilities and self-criticisms, which are often more pronounced due to their professional background and expectations.

It’s common for therapists to be drawn to their profession due to personal experiences with issues similar to those they later treat. For example, starting my therapy journey in the early 70s due to relationship issues, I learned firsthand, despite my full commitment to change,  the slow pace at which change often occurs. This fostered greater patience and empathy for my clients  facing similar struggles.

Engaging in therapy also challenges and refines a therapist’s understanding of client motivations, emphasizing the complexity of human change. We typically change in non-linear ways, punctuated by setbacks, echoing the common adage that progress often involves “two steps forward, one step back.” This understanding helps therapists appreciate the unique and often slower than desired  pace of significant personal change in their clients.

Therapists in therapy often confront their tendencies to switch from the role of a client to a therapist during sessions, needing to earning to stay within the client role to fully benefit from the process. My personal therapy, especially early in my career, revealed to me the importance of being seen as committed to personal growth, which can deepen respect and trust in the therapeutic relationship.

Finally, therapy offers a profound opportunity for therapists to reconcile their professional knowledge with personal experiences. Although our knowledge resides in the rational, prefrontal cortex, our emotions and behaviors are influenced by many factors that therapy can help to integrate. This integration is crucial not only for personal well-being but also for enhancing the therapeutic alliance and effectiveness in treating others.

Therapy for therapists not only supports their personal well-being but also reinforces their professional practices, making it an indispensable part of continuous professional development and self-care. Understanding PTSD and other trauma-related disorders,, however, doesn’t require personal experience with these conditions, although having such experience can enrich a therapist’s empathy and authenticity.

Clinicians are trained to provide empathetic and respectful support, understanding and respecting  each client’s unique experiences. This approach is foundational, regardless of whether we have personally experienced similar traumas. The role of a clinician isn’t to fit clients into a rigid diagnostic framework but to adapt their approach based on individual needs. 

Just as medical doctors treat conditions they haven’t personally experienced, therapists apply theoretical knowledge and clinical skills enhanced by insights gained from their clients. Humility and openness to learning from each client are crucial traits for effective therapy.

While personal experience with trauma can lend authenticity to a therapist’s practice, especially in fields like addiction recovery, it isn’t a prerequisite for providing effective support. The therapeutic relationship itself, marked by unconditional positive regard, often bridges the gap between shared experiences.

Ethical standards prevent therapists from sharing personal details unless it benefits the client. Thus, it’s often not apparent whether therapists have personal experience with PTSD or similar issues unless they choose to disclose this for therapeutic reasons.

Therapists might have entered the profession due to their own experiences with trauma, contributing to a deep understanding of their clients’ struggles. However, it’s essential for therapists to remain aware of the potential for over-identification, which can influence their clinical judgment. Ultimately, a therapist’s job is to facilitate healing by applying their professional skills, regardless of their personal background in trauma.

Personal Example

My personal breakthrough came when my therapist and I decided I was ready to process a deep-seated traumatic memory. Despite my background as an EMDR therapist and trainer, the rapidity and depth of the mental and emotional shifts amazed me. I experienced a profound relief from a longstanding anxiety, affirming my professional belief in the method’s effectiveness from a personal perspective. It highlighted that understanding EMDR intellectually as a therapist is different from experiencing its power as a client.

This kind of revelation is not uncommon during EMDR training, where therapists often experience significant personal insights while practicing the technique on each other. These experiences can be transformative, even for those who are just beginning to learn the therapy.

Indeed, my first practical exposure to EMDR was as a trainee in the 1990s. I processed what seemed a trivial family story, only to discover deep-seated emotions of fear and abandonment. The session, facilitated by a fellow trainee, helped clear these painful emotions and altered my perception of the memory, allowing me to genuinely feel “I am good enough regardless” of past events. The emotional and physical sensations associated with the memory dissipated, and the once vivid images turned gray.

Many EMDR clinicians became trained in EMDR therapy after impactful personal EMDR therapy as well as such healing experiences in practice sessions reqjuired in Basic Training. tIEMDR experiences vary widely, however ,with each person’s process  influenced by their unique history and the specific dynamics of their therapeutic relationship. There are no definitive expectations or typical outcomes in EMDR; each journey is personalized.

I share this story not as a template for what others should expect from EMDR but to illustrate the profound personal impact it can have, even on those who are deeply familiar with its techniques. This was my initial, transformative experience with EMDR, addressing both professional curiosity and personal therapeutic needs and I have continued to benefit from EMDR therapy throughout my career as an EMDR Certified Therapist, Approved Consultant, Basic Trainer and Specialty Trainer. 

Self-administering EMDR therapy is not advisable because the presence of a supportive therapist is crucial to the healing process. EMDR therapists undergo extensive training, including 40 hours of lectures and 10 hours of consultation, emphasizing the specialized skills required to effectively guide patients through the EMDR process. And we also have a built in conflict of interest!

We can use EMDR techniques and tools to address immediate needs when unable to access therapy from another. For those unable to afford therapy, Dr. Francine Shapiro’s book, Getting Past Your Past, offers some resources and tools that can be useful. However, it is important to consult with a professional when deeper issues arise that require therapeutic intervention.

In many regions, there are options to access pro bono (free) or low-cost EMDR therapy. For instance, in West Des Moines, Iowa, several organizations provide these services, though demand often exceeds availability, highlighting the need for more trained EMDR therapists. It’s advisable to contact local EMDR clinicians who may know of available resources.

Additionally, the EMDR International Association’s website offers a ‘Find a Therapist’ feature that can help locate EMDR practitioners in your area. Those listed as Approved Consultants typically have extensive knowledge of the EMDR community and available resources as well. 

Bonnie Mikelson LISW