In today’s society there are still a lot of false beliefs and myths about the work that psychologists do or how they should be as people and professionals.

A psychologist has the ability to help the person to face situations that, at times, can overcome them and cause him/her great emotional distress. However, this does not imply that psychology professionals do not suffer or feel distressed by circumstances of daily life and, therefore, also need the assistance of another professional.

What is it and what does a psychologist do?

A psychologist is first and foremost a person, but with the difference that thanks to his or her studies and experience, he or she is able to help a large number of people and provide treatment for a wide variety of mental problems, disorders or illnesses.

All of these types of difficulties that some people go through range from small problems that interfere with daily life and require a short-term solution, to much more severe afflictions such as overcoming grief, advancing after abuse, anxiety, depression or any chronic mental disorder.

Likewise, psychologists also possess the necessary faculties to help people with addiction problems, with serious or chronic physical illnesses , or with motivation problems that suppose an obstacle for the person when it comes to reaching his/her goals.

These are only some of the many things a qualified psychologist can assist or support any person who needs it, using different means and tools at their disposal.

Reasons why a psychologist also attends therapy

But since, as mentioned above, psychologists are also human beings, there may be several reasons why a psychologist might feel the need to resort to therapy. This doesn’t mean that he or she is less professional or less able to guide others in their problems or concerns.

Psychologists know the importance of mental health

You don’t have to suffer from a mental disorder or illness to decide to go to a therapist, just as you don’t have to wait for a mild affliction to turn into something more serious, and psychologists understand that better than anyone else.

Therefore, a psychologist, just like any other person, is aware that without mental health there is no health of any kind and may wish to go to another professional to increase or maintain his or her state of emotional well-being so that he or she can enjoy a full and satisfactory life.

Finally, psychologists know that enjoying positive mental health is essential for three basic reasons:

  • To be able to cope with the normal difficulties that arise in everyday life
  • To preserve and maintain the motivation necessary to achieve personal aspirations and goals
  • To encourage and contribute positively to the environment around you
  • The psychologist also suffers throughout his life

Like everyone else, psychologists are not superheroes , and therefore are not immune to the misfortunes that inevitably occur throughout life.

Despite their knowledge and skills in helping others, psychologists are not covered with a layer resistant to pain, anxiety, life’s obstacles, loss, etc. Therefore, on certain occasions, it is necessary to ask for the help of another professional in psychology.

In addition, the advantage that a psychologist can sometimes have is that he or she may be able to identify when something is not right and ask for help before the problem becomes too deeply rooted.

Psychological intervention can have consequences at the emotional level

If there is something that characterizes the day-to-day work of a therapist it is that he has to face extremely hard situations . Situations in which people reveal a series of thoughts, experiences or personal situations that, in many cases, are extreme and have a very important psychological impact.

Situations of abuse, mistreatment or very traumatic losses also generate a series of emotions in the professional, who feels the need to remain impassive while the person recounts his experiences or emotions, but which after a day’s work involve a burden and psychological fatigue that sometimes requires the assistance of another therapist.

They know the effectiveness and advantages of psychological therapies

Since a psychologist knows the different types of therapy and the different psychological currents (cognitive-behavioral therapies, third generation therapies, psychodynamic therapies, etc), he or she is therefore aware of the effectiveness of these and how each one can be useful according to the type of difficulties or problems to be treated.

Furthermore, are aware that although the administration of psychotropic drugs can be useful as an impulse in some cases , psychological intervention is fundamental and essential for the improvement of mental health, and that drugs by themselves do not solve any problem.

The advantages of psychological therapy over psychopharmaceuticals can be summarized as follows:

1. Therapy is more economical in the long term

Since drugs do not solve problems, they end up being consumed chronically and as an emergency resource in a stressful situation, which is why in the long term the investment in psychiatric drugs ends up being very high .

2. Empowers the person with independence

The aim of psychotherapy is to provide the person with tools and mechanisms to be able, on their own, to solve the difficulties that will arise throughout their life. Unlike medication, which usually ends up causing some type of dependency .

3. No side effects

Unlike drugs, well-conducted psychotherapy has no side effects or harmful consequences for the person in the long term.

4. As a complement to the theoretical training

On certain occasions, it is necessary for the professional to experience therapy in the first person as a complement to the theoretical training . In this way, he or she becomes aware of what exactly happens during the therapy sessions and, in some phases or specific situations, helps him or her to work better with the people who come for consultation.

5. Some psychological currents demand it

In some psychological currents, specifically those of a psychodynamic or psychoanalytic nature, the therapist must submit to a psychoanalytic intervention with the aim of ensuring that his or her own subjectivity does not subsequently influence his or her sessions with patients.