We all discover our passions in various ways. For Dr. Deborah Serani, experiencing and living through depression inspired her to choose a career as a therapist.
Serani joined HuffPost Live host Nancy Redd to discuss how her mental illness has contributed to and influenced her career as a psychologist.
“It’s very important to know how to be a very balanced listener as a therapist, so it can take a lot of work,” said Serani. “I find that I have a very successful way of working with my patients and also taking care of myself.”
Serani’s depression started at a very young age and it was her path to recovery that inspired her to want to help other people with their mental health issues.
“My depression got worse as time went by, and as a teenager I attempted suicide,” recalled Serani. “[I] got help, luckily, and psychotherapy was life changing for me, so much so that I became a psychologist and studied the practice.”
She admits that working as a therapist can be difficult since she has her own personal experience and struggles with depression, but “balance, breaks, and knowing your own personal limits and what your own personal triggers are” are necessary for living a healthy life in and out of the office.
To hear more of the conversation, watch the full HuffPost Live segment here.