Self-Acceptance and Helping Another

[MomSaysImACatch]

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Can you help someone even if you don't accept yourself, whether that means not accepting yourself in the similar situation that person shares or yourself in general? Perhaps, self-acceptance needs to be defined first.

Maybe some starting questions would help, which, of course, the subject can be more complex than what these questions are asking: Is it full tolerance of who you are or what you're going through? Is it admittance to the who you are dynamically and what you're going through along with accepting your decisions on how to deal with them? Is it an attitude on how you look at "mistakes?"
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Responding in this thread:

You don't necessarily need to provide an answer or an advance to a plausible answer in this thread. It can just be a response--questions, comments, sharing of experience, or feelings in your tummy. All kinds are welcomed. (I'm a undergraduate, considering clinical psychology, and this has been in my head lately. If you choose to provide an "answer," there is no "right" or "wrong" answer. I just think this is something important to be aware of, not just for a professional, but also an individual.)

Edit: If you feel restricted to react in the forum situation, don't be. Because I find this subject is important to consider, you can also simply just take what you see here and meditate on it yourself.

 

[appelsoranjes]

Can you help someone even if you don't accept yourself

I think it's always possible to help people, no matter what issues you yourself have. As long as a) you are aware of your issues and how they may influence the relationship with client and b) if the issues are clinically relevant (e.g., u are suffering from depression), you are seeking treatment or otherwise dealing with the issues.

Psychologists are far from perfect people - and most have struggled significantly in some area, which sometimes leads them to the field (for better or for worse). The good shrinks are the ones who are mindful of their issues and use this insight for the good of the patient.

just my .02