Product Management + Mental Health: Where does therapy fit in for you?

abipereira·Dec 17, 2021

Hi Product Elphas,

I feel like so much is written about product management lately about the tactical side of the job itself. I'd love to do more to highlight what I find to be the sometimes overwhelmingly emotional side of a job. I was recently at a dinner a few weeks ago with other product people (mostly women) and someone said this is my therapy. I turned the person next to me and was like "wait, no, I actually go to therapy and it's made me a better PM".

Shouting it out to the ether here, but wondering what other women think? Do you find therapy helpful in being a successful product manager. How do you view therapy vs. coaching?

Would love to chat more on the topic and hear what everyone has to say! Feel free to DM me as well if you want to chat 1on1!

Abi

tanmayisai·Dec 18, 2021

That's really insightful! As a PM myself, I could definitely see that. Communication and understanding is such a huge part of the PM role, dealing and negotiating with people requires a level of awareness. I think therapy could help with managing those emotions and build awareness and empathy.

LauraKassapakis·Dec 19, 2021

Hey Abi, I’ve always used therapy as and when I need it and I’ve tried multiple types. CBT therapy has definitely helped me as a PM - in times where anxiety is running high because something unforeseen has happened, the skills I’ve picked up with CBT have helped me to rationalise my thoughts. I’ve always had pretty high EQ but therapy also helps you to empathise with other teams and skill sets (especially the ones that can be fairly difficult stakeholders ;) ). One area it’s helped me has been when I’ve dealt with teams in other countries where their ways of working and comms styles are SO different. I will say though, I also find solace in speaking to other PMs about their shared experiences because a lot of people don’t know the details and pressures of our job in the same way. I use these times with PMs to speak in more specific terms about challenges or learnings. I find this a mix of therapy but also coaching. Happy to chat further on the topic! Shoot me a DM if you wish