Kristen Gingrich: The Truth About Being A Therapist with Mental Illness

Human First with Dr. Courtney Tracy

In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Dr. Courtney explores what it means to be a therapist who also has mental health problems with her fellow No-BS therapist, Kristen Gingrich. Here is a list of the topics/questions they discuss: Kristen and Dr. Courtney bond about being “No-BS” therapists and showing their humanness as professionals Kristen shares her story about how she lost her friend to suicide as a teenager and felt like she could have been a better friend and how she never wants another person to feel that lonely again Breakdown of the words “therapist”, “mental illness”, and “stigma” Therapists have therapists? (um, yes, thank god.) What it means to have ‘trust’ and a ‘safe space’ with your therapist *A surprise* around 11 minutes (sorry if it scares you ;D) How the world got into a place where Kristen and Dr. Courtney could be so open about their mental health problems as licensed professionals Self-disclosure vs. “blank slates” in the therapy room as a therapist When Kristen felt like having trauma might have prevented her from becoming a therapist (and who scared her the most: clients’ or peers’ perceptions) Disclosure about how Kristen’s mom treated her (trigger warning) when she was younger and how she balances what she shares in session vs. on social media When Kristen finally went “no-contact” with her mother after a traumatic childhood What to do/say when a client knows something about you as a therapist and may be holding back their own “stuff” to not trigger you (the therapist) Why mental health has stigma in the first place (hint, per usual, it has a lot to do with survival) Normalizing mental health problems and mental illness as a human being and a therapist Find Kristen Gingrich on Instagram & TikTok! @notyouraveragethrpst Kristen also created a new book that you purchase at her IG! Dr. Courtney Tracy’s additional offerings: Instagram: @the.truth.doctor TikTok: @the.truth.doctor Twitter: @_thetruthdoctor Exclusive YouTube Show: The Truth Doctor Show Healing texts: USA & Canada [phone] (just shoot her a text!) Website: www.thetruthdoctor.com This podcast is not therapy and does not provide personalized clinical advice. The purpose of this podcast is to provide mental health based entertainment and psychoeducation.