In the latest episode of the podcast Highly Therapized, Amberly Potter, a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), opens up about her recovery journey from addiction and undiagnosed bipolar II disorder. Potter discusses the challenges she faced throughout her life, including early trauma, substance use, motherhood, and the complexities of building a career in therapy while managing her mental health.
Potter reveals that during her graduate studies and early clinical work, she struggled with untreated bipolar II disorder. This condition affected her personal identity, professional relationships, and overall work performance. She describes how common it is to encounter burnout and perfectionism in the mental health field, which often exacerbates existing issues for therapists.
Potter’s experience with mental illness led to multiple hospitalizations and what she refers to as ‘rock bottoms.’ These moments brought her to confront ethical dilemmas and the stigma associated with being both a therapist and a patient. Despite these challenges, she emphasizes the importance of real recovery, which involves facing one’s own vulnerabilities and seeking help.
Throughout the episode, Potter highlights the need for mental health professionals to openly discuss their struggles. By doing so, she hopes to reduce stigma and encourage a culture of honesty and support within the mental health community. Her story illustrates the dual roles of healer and patient, demonstrating that recovery is a continuous process requiring resilience and self-compassion.
Listeners will find Potter’s narrative both relatable and inspiring as she shares her insights into healing and the importance of seeking help, not only for clients but for therapists themselves. Her journey underscores the fact that mental health challenges do not define one’s ability to help others.
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