DO PSYCHOLOGISTS HAVE PROBLEMS??? All psychologists are painfully familiar with the phrase “Don’t you understand me??? (Why are you doing this?, Don’t you know how to solve this problem) You’re a psychologist!” This phrase, as a rule, is said at the moment when a person wants the conflict to be resolved in his favor or when he wants to get something by dishonest means. In any case, this is a manipulation that has no basis for the claim. And this formulation periodically baffles me too. For some reason, there is a myth that if a person is a psychologist, then he is well-trained and he simply cannot have problems. Let's start with the fact that a psychologist is a role! It is a profession, just like a teacher or a doctor or a mason. And behind this role lives an ordinary person. With your experiences, your childhood, your overcomings, meetings, separations and joys. The only thing that distinguishes a psychologist from any other person is the constant development of one’s personal qualities (growth), since without this development it is impossible to successfully implement oneself in the profession and working with one’s awareness, feelings, body, experiencing feelings is a prerequisite, this is the key to our health and successful work. If suddenly some psychologist tells you that he has no problems, everything is always fine and he is his own therapist, then there are 2 options: 1. He doesn't tell you the truth.2. He suppresses his feelings so much that he himself does not have access to them, much less awareness of his feelings. I am always for people to know that I, like any other person, have difficulties, there are even problems, there are feelings that need and are important to be aware of. That I am sometimes exhausted and sad. Sometimes I get angry and even scream. And I always strive to live my feelings. I strive to be aware of them, to honestly see what or who was the catalyst, what part of me is wounded now. This is a huge internal job. She is constant. It allows me, being in the role of a psychologist, not to project my content onto the client, not to transfer my feelings associated with Others to the clients. It is very important. When the participants in our meetings ask me, “How much longer do I have to go and work with all this? I keep working with myself, working, and there are more and more new layers of feelings, thoughts, memories...” I answer that there is no end. This is a living and constant process. It is important to learn to withstand your feelings, live, be in contact with yourself and loved ones. And periodically go somewhere for therapy or counseling in order to be effective in life. This spring, something changed in me that prompted me to sign up for a week of therapy, then take the Intimacy and Vulnerability course. This is the kind of intensive I arranged for myself. It's alarming and even scary at times. And still we move forward: me, my anxiety and desire for development. Let's all go together. I wish you to live and follow the path of awareness and living! Averkieva Victoria