Do you think most psychologists and therapists are batshit crazy?

[NewYearFitQueen]

I know about 4 in real life and trust me, they do not lead lives you would want to lead, plus at least two of the seem batshit crazy themselves

It’s a sweeping generalisation to say all, but for understandable reasons people with poor mental health do seem to be drawn to mental health care as a career and the individuals I know IRL who want to do this would be a horror show at supporting others.

I don’t think it is nearly universal but due to significant childhood trauma I’ve met a few. Only 1 was a person I would recommend. I think there are some people drawn to the profession who are extremely unsuited to providing mental health support.

Yes it's really odd, one of the ones I know, has severe post natal depression, and used to let her child under 2, playout outside the house, out the front near the road unsupervised
She's still quite nuts with alot of issues

What a ridiculous thing to say. ‘Most’ - you draw your ‘sample’ from four…. Go & wobble your head 🙄😂

I think anyone can call themselves a therapist. But if you use the title psychologist professionally in the UK you have to be registered with a recognised governing body.

So I think the OP is half-right: some of the stuff that comes from therapists does seem unhelpful, but psychologists have training and professional standards and ethics. I find psychology pretty interesting.

I only know one in my “real life” but I’m amazed that she is allowed to advise other people what to do.

I often privately think this about so called “life coaches”. Why would you take advice from them?

The therapists I've had have been brilliant.

The one therapist I know personally has absolutely no business being a therapist; I'm horrified that they are one and would be contacting the BACP if I wasn't worried about the backlash.

Are these “psychologists” proper clinical psychologists, who have studied for many years on the highly competitive course?

A really good friend of mine is a psychiatrist. She is definitely quirky! Not batshit crazy though. Her colleagues all seem quite normal too. A fair number have things like adhd and asd.

I’m not batshit crazy, but like all professions it attracts a mix of people. Some have some unresolved stuff, others less so.

I think the issue is anyone can call themselves a therapist or counsellor or life coach. Working in mental health over many years I’ve found some of these people to be completely nuts. Psychologist with the relevant qualifications seem to be more stable.

I'm talking about people I know in real life let alone what I observe from others around me,that tell me what their therapist has advised them etc
and documentarys etc

Also I find that expression give your head a wobble, really cringe

I agree in part, OP. However, I think in both psychological and psychotherapy it’s more about applying theory into practice and allowing clients to come to their own revelations, instead of modelling a therapists own life and ideas to their clients. With life coaches who are actively giving advice/suggestions to clients based on their own experiences, I think it’s more important to have their lives in order - as this is what they are effectively selling.

No, I think that’s a lazy generalisation. I know a lot of therapists, my sister is an addiction psychotherapist, and three of my oldest friends are a couples therapist, a psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist. Not a batshit crazy in sight.

The highly competitive course?

Certainly the ones I know IRL. Not sure what it is that draws them in? Unable to sort their own shit out so want to help others with theirs? So ignorant they can't see how messy they are themselves and so deluded they think they're actually doing well so think they should guide others?

I know someone training to be a counsellor and they're the most fucked up person I know. Concerningly they also volunteer for a kids suicide charity and describe everyone ELSE on their counselling course as 'nuts' - but they're totally nuts. Unable to deal with any sort of difficult situation or conversation.

I remember another counsellor I knew - total screw up, weird and abusive but I darent even describe their behaviour on here. But it was sexually abusive and I know being looked into by social services. Was years ago.

My uncle - a relationship counsellor. Miserable, depressed, victim mentality, unable to sort out tricky relationship issues of their own.

Oh and another I know! Drug and alcohol counsellor. Shagged one of her patients and was struck off.

But then aren't we all a bit mental really? I guess some of us just choose counselling as a career option...

I had 2 in the 90's (not their age, the decade)

One actually admitted they feed off other people's problems as a way of self healing themselves because they couldn't afford therapy.

The other i looked up after 20 minutes laid back in the chair after describing my (quite personal) issues to find him 'chasing the dragon'.

Never again

I l ow a lot more than 4 myself and while some - like on most groups of people- are essentric. Most of them lead ordinary lives. I dont know any who would have left their young children unsupervised.

This is actually a really interesting question, "what it is that draws them in"

This is a reason for always asking upfront about qualifications and current professional registrations. To keep up the registrations you have to demonstrate e.g. CPD, record keeping, data handling, regular supervision at correct ratios.

Lots of people are drawn to training, but qualifying and maintaining professional standards is a good differentiator,

To be fair she was ill with PND at the time

Actually thinking about it I know at least 6

I know someone who is a psychiatrist. She is the most attention seeking unstable person I know and cannot be trusted with any secret. In fact the fastest way to get information out around the city is to tell this person. It’s quite bizarre given her job.

I don’t know about most, and I’ve no experience of psychologists, but the first therapist I saw was rather peculiar and utterly self-obsessed. She’d take up half of the appointment wittering on about herself and her family and her numerous previous jobs. Then when we finally got around to discussing my issues, she’d say things like “oh sometimes we need to just put things to the back of our minds and forget about them”!! Absolutely bizarre and potentially very damaging but I stopped after three sessions.

They probably are, but to me they are just useless, but everyone has to have “therapy” these days, it’s the fashion.