Can you be a succesful counselor if you still have your own issues?

[1laguy]

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Could someone be a great counselor if they themselves have issues like public speaking anxiety/panic?

 

[chamomile]

I would venture to say that the incidence of psychological issues is about the same in the profession itself as it is in the general population. The difference is that any well trained mental health professional confronts, treats, deals with self issues, through training and supervision, as well as personal growth. It would be hypocritical of the professions, to reject or no support colleagues with issues or medical problems, like an us-them divide.

Suffice it to say, that I have seen psychiatrists and mental health admins, who, behaviorally, appear to have personality disorders, which, they inflict upon others, and due to power, get away with it. Narcissism is the biggy.

So, as panic disorders and speaking anxiety, are probably more responsive to treatment, than other things, I say, go for it. You would probably have a more empathic understanding of these and able to help clients who deal with these. How likely are you as a future clinician to have to address large audiences? Probably not much, so stay out of admin. If you do well one on one with clients, you should do fine. Get whatever help you need yourself, and then go for it. Heck, Freud was a cocaine addict. Many others issues pale in comparison.

So I'd encourage you to continue considering clinical training.

 

[velocicaur]

Assuming you can get through the schooling and such, I would see no reason why you could not become an excellent counselor.

You'd truly be able to understand what others are feeling and going through, and you may be able to offer "real world" ways to cope with these problems (ways *you* coped with it, etc.).

 

[deenie]

That being said, you need to address those issues so they don't affect the therapeutic relationship. I am in grad school for counseling and hope to get my LPC in a few years. Since I was last in the field decades ago, I've had plenty of my own "issues." I've probably always had anxiety issues but never went to counseling for it until the last several years. I also experienced years of infertility (probably contributing the the anxiety) which will serve me well when I get into private practice since I hope to specialize in counseling clients suffering from infertility and/or pregnancy loss. Since I've walked in those shoes I think I can offer a unique perspective and really empathize with those I'm trying to help.

I took one grad class over the summer and we had to read "The Unquiet Mind" (Jamison, 1996) detailing the journey of a woman who is a Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins who suffers from bipolar disorder. It was very interesting to read her account and how it affected her professional life, both good and bad.

Being in the field of counseling is an ongoing education and if you're willing to take a good look at yourself and work on your own issues, you'll be a great therapist!