Comparing the personal lives of psychotherapists and research psychologists

Being a psychotherapist is a complex challenge. Research has suggested that therapists are changed by their work but it has not been clear whether the se changes are the same for research psychologists and practitioners. Repre sentatives of these 2 groups were surveyed. Although therapists reported mo re anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion than did researchers, they were also more satisfied with their Lives and more likely than researchers to feel that their work had influenced them in positive ways. Therapists' work as practitioners may be emotionally stressful but it may also enrich o ur lives.