Dr. Eric Bender

Like I wouldn't, I, but, but again, the idea that you can show, this is what a therapist looks like.

This is a real therapist, licensed therapist.

Who's not totally doing crazy things.

That's, that's good.

I think you wouldn't be human if you didn't have your own issues.

I think that psychologists, providers, primary care doctors, everybody should know where your issues start and stop and where your patients start and stop.

And you can be a better provider in mental health in particular when you're a patient yourself.

So understanding what it's like to be in the other chair, literally and figuratively, to be vulnerable, to have feelings that you don't want to share or that are hard for you.

So you know what it's like for the person you're sitting across from.

So I think it's really important.

Now, if the provider's issues are toxic to the therapy, that's a problem.

Meaning, let's say they're really narcissistic and they need you to praise them.

Is the therapy for the patient anymore or is it for the provider?

Or if there is a substance use issue and the provider's falling asleep in the session or the provider's very inappropriate and slurring words, things like that, that's a problem.

So I think if people are dealing with their stuff, great.

If people aren't, that's an issue.

What I would say in a situation like that from hearing from you is I would say the patient

this has hurt you and you're telling me this is still sticking with you.

There is a population of people that wouldn't have the same reaction.

They might've reacted a little bit differently.