When The Clinician Provides Counseling to Another Clinician

Providing counseling to someone who is a Clinician is something we don’t discuss so often; clearly, not often enough. Clinicians are people too. There may be times when we need therapy.

Discussion: It’s important to be aware of some of the nuances that might take place with providing therapy to another Clinician. It’s important to consult with a supervisor, mentor or another colleague. Let’s review some of what we should not be doing when counseling someone in our field of practice.

We should not overstep the usual process of informed consent. It should not be assumed because the client is a Clinician they will “know”. It is important for the foundation for the treatment.

We should not treat our client as if they are not a therapist. This would not go over well because the client is not accustomed to being a client and would feel as if they were being demeaned.

We shouldn’t minimize because they are a Clinician. It’s important to be careful not to work through the real issues and acknowledge the seriousness of their situation because of trying to remain unintrusive, non-confrontational, or polite.

We shouldn’t work over the Clinician’s head; meaning that as skilled and knowledgeable as they are, they may not be able to absorb the complexities of their own issues. This is a balance of language.

We shouldn’t become a friend even though the temptation is there. Countertransference issues may be particularly high with this situation and we need to be very aware of it and mindful of it.

We shouldn’t become a competitor. This is an opposite type of countertransference that might take place.

We shouldn’t treat a known colleague. Assist them with finding someone who is not known to them.

Let’s take a look at some of the practices we may want to employ to help the Clinician in counseling.

We should discuss any barriers to treatment head on.

We should maintain that respect of the Clinical skills honed by the client throughout the counseling process.

If we have ever provided Clinical supervision, we would know that we don’t approach first year Clinicians the same as we treat Clinicians with experience.

We should allow them to present at their own pace but keep it moving; don’t stagnate. We should try a change in modality.

We should be mindful and inquire how much their issues are impacting their own ability to provide therapy. However, when presenting the question, bear in mind that it probably should be presented empathetically rather than critically. A Clinician may fear repercussions to their own practice and livelihood.

We should mindfully use self-disclosure to show understanding or demonstrate examples. If we are comfortable with using self-disclosure as a tool normally and feel we are aware of the pitfalls. It builds teamwork and partnering in the Clinicians journey in the healing process. It also builds and maintains trust.

Above all of our counseling techniques, we should keep it real; how would we want to be treated if we were the clinician client? We should keep in mind that we all may be a client at some point throughout the course of our life.

The larger question is, will a Clinician seek therapy when needed and would we seek counseling if it were us? It would probably be an easier role to assume when we were younger, less experienced clinicians. However, as a seasoned clinician with many life factors at stake, doesn’t it become more threatening? The Clinician should feel free to seek help at any point in their lives as any other client, but a Clinician may not. They may feel that they don’t want to reveal themselves to another Clinician, be afraid of their reputation or efficacy as a Clinician, be afraid of threat to their job or position. Clinicians may also think that because they are a Clinician, they “shouldn’t need” another Counselor to help them out.

As an end note, we might also take into consideration, that while this article addresses Clinicians, these same concepts will likely be applicable to anyone who is in the helping professions and health care fields.

Written By: Dawn M. E. Picone, BCTMH, Psy.D, LCSW

Dr Dawn Picone is Board Certified in Telemental Health, holds a Psy.D and is licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in six States. She works exclusively online as a Clinical Consultant for Major Medical venues and provides supervision for MHC and CSW in the State of Florida, New York and New Jersey.