Psychotherapeuten und ihre psychischen Probleme

A cliché about psychotherapists, psychologists and psychiatrists is that they themselves apparently all have mental problems. This review article analyzes the state of research on the topic based on a databank search in PubMed using the terms “(mental disorders OR suicide) AND (psychologists OR psychiatrists OR therapists OR psychoanalysts)” and an analysis of relevant review articles. In the databank search only ten publications were identified which related to any mental problems of therapists. These partially confirmed an increased risk of suicide, increased mental problems, such as depression, increased burnout risk and increased problems in childhood (e.g. sexual abuse and parentification) and showed that research deficits clearly exist. With respect to coping with such risks, the topics training therapy, personal therapy, self-care, and additional opportunities are discussed. In conclusion the implications for research and practice are discussed.