How Therapists Can Struggle — and How They Manage Their Own Mental Health

Therapists are often seen as calm, grounded, and emotionally steady. They are the ones people turn to in times of distress, confusion, and crisis. Yet therapists are human too — and they can struggle with their own mental health in much the same way as anyone else.

At Horizon Counselling Services, we believe it’s important to talk openly about this. Not to blur boundaries or overshare, but to offer reassurance, reduce stigma, and help clients understand that needing support is not a weakness — even for professionals trained to provide it.

This article explores why therapists can struggle, the pressures unique to the role, and how ethical, effective therapists manage their own mental wellbeing.

Therapists Are Human Before They Are Professionals

Therapists experience the same life events as everyone else:

• Bereavement

• Relationship difficulties

• Parenting stress

• Health challenges

• Financial pressure

• Burnout and exhaustion

Training does not make someone immune to anxiety, low mood, or emotional overload. What training does provide is awareness, responsibility, and structure around how to manage those experiences safely — for both the therapist and their clients.

Why the Role of a Therapist Can Be Emotionally Demanding

1. Holding Other People’s Pain

Therapists spend hours each week listening to:

• Trauma

• Loss

• Fear

• Shame

• Relationship breakdown

• Crisis and distress

This emotional labour requires empathy, presence, and regulation. Over time, without good support and boundaries, this can take a toll.

Research recognised by professional bodies such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) highlights the emotional impact of sustained therapeutic work and the importance of self-care and supervision.

2. The Pressure to Be “Okay”

Therapists can feel an unspoken expectation to:

• Have things figured out

• Cope well at all times

• Be emotionally stable

• Model healthy behaviour consistently

This can make it harder to admit when they are struggling — even to themselves. Many therapists report feeling guilt or self-judgement when they experience anxiety, low mood, or stress.

3. Blurred Boundaries Without Care

When therapists are deeply invested in helping others, there is a risk of:

• Overworking

• Taking responsibility for outcomes

• Neglecting rest

• Losing balance between work and personal life

Without clear boundaries, compassion fatigue and burnout can develop.

Common Mental Health Challenges Therapists Experience

Therapists may experience:

• Anxiety or chronic stress

• Low mood or burnout

• Emotional exhaustion

• Imposter syndrome

• Secondary or vicarious trauma

• Reduced motivation or compassion fatigue

Importantly, experiencing these challenges does not make someone a poor therapist. In fact, self-awareness and responsibility are markers of ethical practice.

How Ethical Therapists Manage Their Own Mental Health

Professional therapy is not about being “fixed” — it’s about being accountable, reflective, and supported.

1. Clinical Supervision

Supervision is a cornerstone of ethical therapeutic practice in the UK.

Supervision provides:

• A confidential space to reflect on client work

• Emotional support and perspective

• Safeguarding for clients and therapists

• Guidance around boundaries and risk

Reputable professional bodies, including BACP, require therapists to engage in regular supervision as part of their ethical framework.

2. Personal Therapy

Many therapists have their own therapist — either at key points in life or ongoing.

Personal therapy allows therapists to:

• Process their own experiences

• Recognise personal triggers

• Maintain emotional clarity

• Ensure their issues do not spill into client work

This is not a sign of weakness — it is a sign of professional integrity.

3. Strong Boundaries

Healthy therapists actively manage boundaries, including:

• Caseload size

• Working hours

• Time off

• Emotional availability outside sessions

Boundaries protect both therapist and client, ensuring the work remains safe, effective, and sustainable.

4. Reflective Practice and Ongoing Learning

Therapists regularly engage in:

• Continued professional development (CPD)

• Reflective practice

• Training updates

• Skills refreshers

This keeps their work grounded, ethical, and responsive — and helps them recognise when they need additional support.

5. Real-Life Self-Care (Not the Instagram Kind)

Self-care for therapists is not just bubble baths and time off.

It often includes:

• Adequate rest

• Peer support

• Movement and physical health

• Time away from emotional labour

• Honest conversations

• Saying no when needed

These are practical, protective behaviours — not indulgences.

Does a Therapist’s Struggle Affect the Quality of Therapy?

When managed ethically, no.

In fact, therapists who:

• Are self-aware

• Seek supervision

• Access their own support

• Reflect honestly on their wellbeing

…are often more attuned, grounded, and empathic.

The risk arises not from therapists having struggles, but from ignoring them.

What This Means for Clients

If you’ve ever worried:

• “Should my therapist really understand this?”

• “Do therapists ever struggle too?”

• “Does it mean therapy won’t work if they do?”

The answer is reassuring.

Good therapy does not require perfection.It requires professional responsibility, self-awareness, and ethical practice.

Therapists are trained to ensure their personal experiences do not interfere with your care — and to step back or seek support if needed.

Transparency, Trust, and Ethical Care at Horizon Counselling Services

At Horizon Counselling Services, we prioritise:

• Ethical practice

• Regular supervision

• Ongoing professional development

• Clear boundaries

• Therapist wellbeing

We believe therapist wellbeing and client wellbeing are connected. A supported therapist is better able to offer calm, grounded, and effective support.

A Human Perspective

One therapist described it like this:

“I don’t help people because I’ve never struggled.I help people because I know what it’s like to be human — and I take responsibility for my own wellbeing.”

That balance matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do therapists have mental health problems?

Therapists can experience mental health difficulties, just like anyone else. Ethical therapists actively manage this through supervision, therapy, and professional support.

Should I worry if my therapist struggles?

No. What matters is that therapists recognise their limits and take appropriate steps to protect clients and themselves.

Does therapist self-care really make a difference?

Yes. Therapist wellbeing is closely linked to the quality, safety, and effectiveness of therapeutic work.

About the Author

Alan StokesFounder & Director, Horizon Counselling Services

Alan is a qualified and experienced counsellor and mental health trainer with specialist interests in adult mental health, men’s wellbeing, burnout, emotional resilience, and ethical therapeutic practice. He is committed to transparent, professional, and compassionate counselling that supports both clients and clinicians.