If I had a rupee for every time I heard this, I’d have enough to start my own retreat in the Maldives and pretend stress was a myth. But alas, here I am, scribbling notes in my therapy journal instead of sipping coconut water by the beach.

Let’s talk about the unspoken epidemic—mental health professionals suffering from mental health issues. Yes, you heard it right. The people who tell you to “practice mindfulness,” “set boundaries,” and “breathe through the anxiety” often cry in their shower, negotiate with their inner demons over a glass of wine, or stare at their ceiling at 2 AM, wondering if they should finally book that therapy appointment (which they won’t).

The “Helper’s High” and the Myth of Invincibility

Psychologists call it the Helper’s High—the rush of serotonin we get from helping people. But here’s the catch: it’s not sustainable. Every time a client leaves the office, unburdened and enlightened, the therapist remains with residual emotions, fatigue, and an ever-growing list of emotional baggage that isn’t even theirs.

Freud would have probably said something about “transference” and “countertransference,” but let’s be real—he…

Psychological Fact: Studies show that therapists experience vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout at rates higher than those in corporate jobs. If investment bankers have sleepless nights due to stock market crashes, therapists lose sleep because their patients’ stories haunt them.

The Therapist’s Dilemma—Who Heals the Healer?

Imagine this: A psychologist, after a long day of helping people unpack their childhood traumas, comes home, exhausted. Their family expects them to be emotionally available, their friends assume they have life figured out, and their spouse thinks they have a “mental health cheat sheet” to handle everything.

Newsflash: They don’t.

The reality? Therapists don’t have time for therapy. Why?

Because:

• They think they should have the answers.
• They don’t want to be judged by their peers.
• They fear being labeled as “not good enough” at their job.
• They’re too busy solving everyone else’s problems to address their own.

Psychological Fact: Imposter Syndrome runs rampant among mental health professionals. Studies suggest that 1 in 3 therapists believe they are frauds—because if they still struggle with their own mental well-being, what right do they have to help others?

Depression in a Lab Coat: The Irony of It All

A recent study revealed that suicide rates among psychologists are disproportionately high. Yes, the very people advocating for mental health awareness often bottle up their own struggles until it’s too late.

Why? Because society expects them to be emotionally bulletproof. After all, what’s a psychologist without a peaceful, Zen-like aura, a steaming cup of chamomile tea, and a perfectly curated Instagram post about resilience?

Except, reality isn’t an aesthetically pleasing Canva quote. Sometimes, a psychologist wakes up, dreads their first session, and wonders if they can handle another day of emotional heavy lifting. And yet, they show up, because that’s what they do.

Psychological Fact: Cognitive Dissonance Theory explains why therapists struggle with their own issues. They believe in the importance of therapy but hesitate to seek it themselves, leading to internal conflict and suppressed emotions.

So, What’s the Solution?

1. Mandatory Therapy for Therapists – No, not the half-hearted, “I’ll do therapy if I have time” approach. It should be a professional requirement. If airline pilots need regular mental fitness checks, so should mental health professionals.

2. Therapist Support Groups – No, not the “I-know-it-all” kind, but genuine, no-bullshit spaces where psychologists can openly admit they’re struggling without judgment.

3. Dropping the “Therapist Must Be Perfect” Myth – Therapists are humans first. They should be allowed to feel, struggle, and break down without losing credibility.

Final Thought: Even Superheroes Need a Day Off

So, the next time you see a therapist, don’t assume they’ve unlocked the secret to eternal calmness. Instead, offer them a listening ear, a strong coffee, or better yet—ask them if they’ve had a therapy session recently. Because trust me, they need it just as much as anyone else.

About the Author

Dr. Sheetal Nair is a psychotherapist, author, and speaker who spends half his time dissecting human emotions and the other half trying to escape them. When he’s not advocating for mental well-being, he’s either writing books that make people cry (in a good way) or drinking too much coffee while pretending to have life figured out. His latest book, 21 Shades of Love, is a testament to the messiness of human relationships—because, let’s be real, love is just another version of therapy, minus the confidentiality agreement.