2012

One of the challenges in addressing problematic behavior is that while counselors are trained to explore and treat the emotional pain of their clients, they are often not educated on how to attend to their own mental health needs (Kilburg, Kaslow, & VandenBos, 1988; Lambie, 2006). Researchers found that helping professionals experience burnout, psychopathology, and impairment at a higher rate than the general population (Maslach, Schaufeli, & Letier, 2001). In 1996, Kottler and Hazler projected that approximately 6,000 mental health counselors within the United States experienced impairment either mentally or emotionally. Paralleling this finding, ACA (2004) found that among the ACA members surveyed, 64% reported personal experiences with an impaired colleague. These findings demonstrate the need for continued training and awareness of problematic behavior within the profession.