A therapist who knows what it is like to be a patient may be more empathic, and may anticipate unstated feelings more readily than a therapist without this first-hand knowledge
Our own feelings, counter-transference broadly defined, is the sensitive instrument we bring into the consultation room. The therapist’s own psychotherapy “calibrates the tool” so he or she can better trust its readings when applied to patients.
At the most commonsense level, a therapist who knows what it is like to be a patient may be more empathic, and may anticipate unstated feelings more readily than a therapist without this first-hand knowledge. For example, holiday periods can feel extraordinarily disruptive to patients, a fact that can be taught in lectures or textbooks (or blogs), but may not be fully appreciated until it is experienced oneself.
Transference in general is better understood experientially than learned academically. Even non-analytic therapists can benefit by recognizing transference and other common “real-time” emotional reactions, conscious and unconscious, in their patients or clients; these can affect rapport, treatment adherence, and so forth.
Psychodynamically informed practice is a hallmark of psychiatry, even when psychodynamic treatment is not offered.
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