When the Therapist Becomes the Client

In our field, the phrase goes: “All great therapist has a great therapist.”

As mental health professionals, we spend our days holding space for others — listening, interpreting, and guiding clients toward healing. But what happens when we need therapy?

At CARE Counseling, Inc., we regularly work with clinicians, educators, and other helpers who seek their own therapy. The experience can feel both familiar and surprisingly different. This post explores how therapy for therapists differs from work with non-clinicians, and what’s important to keep in mind if you’re a therapist entering the client’s chair.

Why Therapists Need Therapy Too

Therapists are human.
We experience loss, burnout, relationship challenges, trauma, and self-doubt like anyone else. In fact, research shows that mental health professionals face higher-than-average rates of secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and role strain.

Engaging in personal therapy helps therapists:

• Maintain emotional balance and prevent burnout

• Deepen empathy and authenticity with clients

• Explore personal patterns that may influence clinical work

• Continue growing as people and professionals

The goal isn’t to be a “perfect therapist”—it’s to stay grounded, self-aware, and supported.

How Therapy with a Therapist-Client Is Different

Working with another mental health professional brings unique dynamics. The therapist-client already understands the process, the terminology, and sometimes even the theories. That can make the work deeper—but also trickier—at first.

Here’s how it often differs:

The “insider” perspective

Therapist-clients may anticipate interventions (“You’re using motivational interviewing!”) or analyze their therapist’s process. The challenge is learning to experience rather than observe.

Managing dual awareness

Therapist-clients often hold two truths: “I know what’s happening clinically” and “I’m still feeling this emotionally.” Therapy works best when both are honored.

Perfectionism and vulnerability

Many clinicians struggle to let their guard down. They may worry, “Shouldn’t I know better?” or “What will my therapist think of my coping skills?”
The truth: vulnerability is courageous no matter your training.

Depth of insight

Therapist-clients often move quickly to core issues. A skilled therapist will balance that insight with attention to emotion, embodiment, and safety—ensuring intellectual understanding doesn’t replace emotional processing.

Finding the Right Therapist as a Therapist

When therapists seek therapy, it’s important to find someone who can match clinical depth with personal authenticity.

Look for:

• A clinician experienced in working with other professionals.

• Someone who can hold boundaries clearly while respecting your clinical knowledge.

• A therapist you can trust enough to stop being “the therapist” for an hour.

• If trauma is part of your story (as it often is for helpers), seek out trauma-informed clinicians trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, IFS, DBT, or psychodynamic depth work.

At CARE Counseling, Inc., our therapists are Northwestern University–trained clinicians with specialized expertise in trauma, burnout, and clinician wellness. We understand the unique pressures of holding others’ pain while managing your own.

Tips for Therapists in Therapy

If you’re a therapist entering therapy, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Let yourself be a client. You don’t need to manage the session or impress your therapist. Your only job is to be present.

• Notice when you “think” instead of “feel.” Intellectual insight is valuable—but healing often happens through the body and emotions.

• Be transparent about boundaries and preferences. It’s okay to name what feels comfortable or not.

• Accept your humanness. You don’t need to have it all together. Therapy isn’t about fixing; it’s about integrating.

• Invest in ongoing care. Regular therapy, consultation, and supervision are part of long-term professional sustainability.

Closing Reflection

Therapists need safe, private spaces to unpack their own experiences—without being “the expert.” That space allows authenticity to flourish and supports better care for clients.

At CARE Counseling, Inc., we believe the most effective therapists are those who continue to do their own inner work. Whether you’re a new clinician learning to set boundaries or a seasoned therapist navigating burnout, therapy for therapists can be a profound act of professional and personal renewal.

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