In this episode, Dr. Meyers explores what happens when the clinician becomes the patient. Anthony Gaetani, LMSW, reflects on how his own therapy has shaped the way he shows up in his professional work. This candid conversation examines therapists in therapy, countertransference and burnout in social work, offering an honest look at the emotional weight of clinical responsibility — carrying clients’ stories home, the persistent feeling of “never doing enough,” and the internal pressure many helpers know all too well. Through personal therapy, he developed greater self-awareness, stronger professional boundaries and deeper compassion — for his clients and for himself — while doing work rooted in care, responsibility, and human connection.

Anthony earned his Bachelor of Social Work from Molloy University and his Master of Social Work from Fordham University. He has experience working with diverse populations across inpatient and outpatient settings and currently works as an inpatient psychiatric social worker supporting individuals experiencing acute psychiatric challenges through comprehensive assessment, interdisciplinary collaboration and linkage to community-based resources that promote long-term stability. He approaches social work as both a profession and a calling, grounded in the belief that every individual deserves dignity, respect and the opportunity to thrive beyond hospitalization.