The person of the therapist is foundational to the work we do and the relationships we build with our clients. But all too often, the discourse stops at “You have to do your own work.”

We need to talk about what that means and how our awareness of and engagement with our own deeper layers influences and can enhance the work we do with clients. 

Today, we’re talking about how the person of the therapist impacts us, from deciding to become a therapist in the first place to how we engage with our own issues throughout our careers. 

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why we need to interrogate what brings us as individuals to this particular version of wanting to help people
• How the spectre of the “good therapist” inhibits our ability to honestly engage with our baggage
• Why doing your own work isn’t about complete resolution, but engagement with your issues
• Why it’s okay to admit that this work meets more than just your need for a paycheck
• How social media therapy content engenders a people-pleasing, customer service mentality for therapists
• Why conflict tolerance is essential to the therapeutic relationship on both sides

Learn more about The Kiln:

• Website

Learn more about Dr. Kae Hixson:

• Website

Learn more about Riva Stoudt:

• Into the Woods Counseling
• Instagram

Resources:

• Season 3 Ep 5: From Childhood Wounds to Therapeutic Wisdom with Dr. Karen Maroda
• The Analyst's Vulnerability: Impact on Theory and Practice, Dr. Karen Maroda
• The Person of the Therapist Training Model: Mastering the Use of Self, Karni Kissil and Harry J. Aponte
• The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients, Irvin Yalom
• Unconditional Positive Regard