I once treated psychologists as special people, a little bit of wizards who held the keys to human souls. Healers who relieved mental pain. They seemed to see right through me and could perform a miracle, make my life happy and beautiful. For some time I was in this sweet and beautiful illusion. By the way, when it crashed into reality, it was very unpleasant and painful. In systemic family psychology there is a hypothesis that all people in helping professions do not end up here by chance. There was most likely someone in the family system who could not be saved. It is difficult to test this theory, because if you delve into your family, I think there will be a lot of different people with very different destinies. If we are not wizards, then who are we and what is really important in our work? 1. Desire to help. Not everything is so simple with the desire to help in the profession of psychology. Besides the obvious connection between this profession and the desire to help people, there are also negative consequences of such a desire. This is confirmed by Gestalt therapist Nifont Dolgopolov and systemic family therapist Anna Varga. They argue that a strong desire to help can lead to problems and hide the psychologist's own unprocessed problems. Therefore, simply the desire to help is not sufficient motivation for engaging in this profession. The main thing is to understand the client and establish psychotherapeutic contact with him. The help that a psychologist provides to a client is a side effect. Psychologists strive to obtain quick results from their work in order to confirm their professional self-esteem. However, in the process they may violate the client's boundaries and cause him to move faster in therapy than he is ready for. This may cause harm to the client and lead to resistance or even withdrawal from therapy. Therefore, helping should not be the main goal of therapy. Interestingly enough, sometimes the desire to help can become an obstacle to helping.2. Interest in people. Interest is important, but is love for the client important? Perhaps future psychologists do not have to experience love for people? In some cases, this can even interfere with psychological work, since strong emotions prevent the specialist from maintaining the desired “neutral” position. It is very important for a psychologist to show sincere curiosity and interest in the inner world of people. Nifont Dolgopolov complements this statement with two additional qualities: goodwill and respect. Kindness allows you to explore the client’s inner world with him, and respect involves attentive attention and consideration of any characteristics and actions of another person. The Gestalt therapist emphasizes that if we respect another person, then we recognize his right to his own thoughts, feelings and values, even if they differ from ours.3. Treat yourself well. The ability for reflection, awareness of one's thoughts, experiences and actions, which develops in the learning process, is the basis of a good attitude towards oneself. Nifont Dolgopolov emphasizes that it is impossible to be kind and respectful to other people if you do not love and respect yourself, if you value yourself low. Our attitude towards clients and other people depends on how tolerant we are of our shortcomings and actions, how much we can recognize them without violating our values ​​and ideals. If parents show interest in the child’s inner world and value it, they can encourage him to pay attention to your inner feelings, notes Nifont Dolgopolov. Interest in literature and culture, if a child in the family participates in them, can be a good prerequisite for studying psychology, but this is not necessary. In any case, during training, a psychology student will spend a lot of time in therapy. He will learn to observe himself and be aware of his emotions and thoughts. Svetlana Sherstina, psychologist. Cost of consultation: 6000 rubles 50 min. Reception location: Novoslobodskaya, 18. To make an appointment, write to WhatsApp: 89261041045