Resources - TERESA COLE, LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR

Can Counselors with Their Own “Stuff” Still Be Effective?
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: It’s complicated. Many of us enter this profession because of our own experiences — our own “mess.” The key is learning how not to bring that into the therapy room. That means not oversharing, not trying to “save” clients, and staying aware of countertransference (that’s therapist-speak for when we project our own feelings onto clients). For example, if my grandmother was constantly critical and a client reminds me of her, I might—without realizing it—respond more harshly in session. That’s countertransference at work. The goal is self-awareness, not perfection. Some of the most respected voices in the field have spoken openly about this process, including: Pete W alker, M.A. Psychotherapy, Marsha M. Linehan, Dan Allender.