Mental Health of a Music Therapist

According to The Association for Psychological Science, approximately one third of people will experience some sort of mental health difficulty, anything from anxiety to depression, at some point in their life (2022). The assumption is that this number only includes patients of therapists and the general population – not the therapists themselves (Fuller, 2022). Research on the mental health of therapists is minimal, however, a few articles reference a study that  currently stands as the largest peer-reviewed study to investigate mental illness for different psychologists in a graduate program. When 1,700 psychology faculty members and trainees completed an online survey regarding whether or not they had ever experienced “mental health difficulties”, 80% of those participants reported that they had (Devendorf & Victor, 2022, para. 7). 95% of participants who stated they had experienced mental health difficulties also reported it does not affect or interfere with their profession. Just as a mental health diagnosis does not define clients, it does not define therapists.

The stigma around mental health illnesses is likely the reason more studies like this haven’t been done. Mental health is complex. We’ve come a long way from “mental hygiene”, the first known term identifying it in 1843 (Mandell, 1995, para. 1). Even with research and progress over time, mental health is often misunderstood or unaccepted all together. It is terrifying to think about sharing the thoughts and feelings that have consumed my brain, let alone actually speak about them to colleagues. Instead, I display my strengths. I display how much I’m learning and growing as an intern; showcasing my rate of success as a steady upward slope over time. Would I be judged if I shared that I actually felt more like a roller coaster going up and down? Research shows the stigma around mental health can play a role in not being hired or promoted. However it can also be met with understanding and allow for accommodations (Devendorf and Victor, 2022, para.15-16). When I mentioned to a supervisor I was writing a blog on this topic, I was worried I would be told it is a sensitive subject to write about and therefore not approved to continue: Instead I was met with genuine interest and encouragement. They even said “I think that’s a great topic for your blog because I don’t think it’s talked about enough.” It’s reasons like this that make me feel a little bit more comfortable and confident to open up to my place of internship about my roller coaster journey.

So why become a therapist if you need a therapist? David Lopez, a practitioner for 15 years who was interviewed by The Guardian, put it simply, “Typically, people who want to become therapists have an interest in connecting with people” (Hackman, 2017, para. 8). Coming from my own experience and my decision to be a music therapist - he’s not wrong! My shared love for music and helping others are what initially led me to this profession. Coincidentally, everything that I’ve learned so far about helping people has also helped me with my own struggles and life challenges. Elena Lister, a private practitioner for 30 years, shares how her struggles led her to this profession in an interview with The Guardian. After her six-year-old daughter passed from leukemia, Lister sought out therapy, but it was unsuccessful in meeting her needs. She decided to specialize in grief and loss therapy to help others in a way that she was not able to help herself. “Shockingly enough, therapists are also people,”she jokes (Hackman, 2017, para. 13). Therapists may have access to resources not everyone has the privilege of receiving, but that does not mean they are immune to feelings of hurt and pain.

In my search for answers about the mental health of therapists, I came across a TEDx video (this video contains material on self-harm and suicide) of Stephen Lewis, a professor of clinical child and adolescent psychology. Dr. Lewis discloses vulnerable moments from his own life, sharing what ultimately led him to specialize in the study of “nonsuicidal self-injury”, also known as self-harm (The Skeletons in My Closet, 2015). Dr. Lewis does not hold back on the comments people made to him and the painful conversations he had with himself during this difficult time in his life. He talks about how his experiences and the desire to win his own personal battle are the reason he is who he is today. That’s why this video was so important and significant to me. It is an honest conversation about the battle that is mental health. 

I admire Dr. Lewis for his bravery in sharing what it’s like to feel so alone. I find comfort in being able to relate to his story. I may not be ready to share at his level, but I am proud of myself for everything I've written and shared today. No one should feel pressure to reveal their struggles if they do not want to. My hope is that we as a society let go of the stigma around mental health and create space for people to start having these honest conversations. It can feel daunting to speak up, but therapists can take the step they encourage their clients to, and seek the help they need.

So, I found my answer. Yes, therapists struggle with their own mental health. Yes, therapists have therapists. While these articles and studies gave me meaningful insight and information, I realized none of them focused on my field in particular. I headed to the search bar again and typed: