Reflecting on Therapists, Entrepreneurs and Mental Health

An article by Robert Manolson published this week in CERIC’s CareerWise weekly online magazine caught my attention for its discussion of the ways mental health issues (esp. anxiety and depression) specifically impact small business owners (https://careerwise.ceric.ca/2023/06/26/what-its-like-to-live-with-anxiety-and-depression-as-a-small-business-owner/?mc_cid=09c7e06a04&mc_eid=ea8172a7f2)

Manolson begins by noting people’s surprise when he reveals he experiences anxiety and depression, despite working as an upbeat workshop facilitator.  It reminded me of a client’s surprise once when I stated that counselling & psychotherapy training programs often require applicants to have personal experience of therapy as a client and that most if not all of us have been therapy clients at some point in our lives.  I think the power dynamics created by the relational contexts of instructor/learner (Manolson’s context) or therapist/client can create illusions that instructors or therapists are immune to having emotional and mental health challenges in our own lives.  Granted, as therapists our experiences generally do not belong in the therapy space with clients, nor do we want our concerns to interfere with the client’s care and counselling experience.  Yet, I also don’t think it is helpful to perpetuate these illusions of therapists as immune to mental health concerns. It seems to me that being open to clients about this requirement in training can be helpful to correct any such impressions while also demonstrating that psychotherapy can be universally beneficial.

As Manolson points out, similar illusions often characterize the image of the entrepreneur or small business owner as perpetually upbeat, energetic, extroverted, etc.  One of the greatest anxiety-provoking challenges I’ve found beginning my private therapy practice was marketing as someone who is generally introverted (i.e. having to promote myself in person to ‘strangers’ when I’d rather stay home and write a blog!).  Not to mention periods when clientele fluctuates and business is slow, which can be acutely felt when one is starting out on the entrepreneurial journey.  It can feel very discouraging.  Thus, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) statistics cited by Manolson that 62% of business owners feel depressed and almost half find mental health affects their work did not surprise me in fact.  What struck me again, however, was how these statistics demonstrate how impressions of entrepreneurs’ experiences and personalities often don’t reflect reality. 

While, as Manolson points out, self-reflection and positive thoughts are helpful and important, I feel that it may be easier said than done depending on the individual person and the situation they are in at the time.  It's not always easy to become free of anxiety and depression symptoms on our own.  I agree with Manolson that conversations are key, and often counselling or therapy can simply be a place for that and getting some external perspectives – whether you’re a business owner or employee.  Those of us in caring/helping professions need to pay special heed to our mental health or we will be compromised in our ability to work with our clients.  All small business owners need to form communities with other entrepreneurs in their specific field and in their local communities -- it's a health need as well as a business need!