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The Value of Personal Experience in Being a Therapist
Many therapists are drawn to the profession by the gratification of helping patients and a desire for intimacy and emotional connection. Personal traits such as enjoying being around emotion and wanting to understand and hear people's thoughts also contribute to becoming a therapist. It is believed that therapists benefit from experiencing mental health issues and undergoing therapy themselves, as it provides invaluable firsthand understanding and insight. Although not a requirement, the best therapists are often those who have been through challenging experiences, seen therapy in action, and found what worked for themselves, subsequently using that knowledge to help their patients. While some therapists enter the field hoping to find solutions for their own issues, the trend seems to be an increasing number of people seeking therapy.