The dilemma of the wounded healer.
Abstract
The wounded healer is an archetype that suggests that a healer's own wounds can carry
curative power for clients. This article reviews past research regarding the construct
of the wounded healer. The unique benefits that a psychotherapist's personal struggles
might have on work with clients are explored, as well as the potential vulnerability
of some wounded healers with respect to stability of recovery, difficulty managing
countertransference, compassion fatigue, and/or professional impairment. The review
also explores psychologists' perceptions of and responses to wounded healers and examines
factors relating to social stigma and self-stigma that may influence wounded healers'
comfort in disclosing their wounds. We propose that the relative absence of dialogue
in the field regarding wounded healers encourages secrecy and shame among the wounded,
thereby preventing access to support and guidance and discouraging timely intervention
when needed. We explore the complexities of navigating disclosure of wounds, given
the atmosphere of silence and stigma. We suggest that the mental health field move
toward an approach of greater openness and support regarding the wounded healer, and
provide recommendations for cultivating the safety necessary to promote resilience
and posttraumatic growth.
Type
Journal articleSubject
Attitude to HealthEmpathy
Health Personnel
Humans
Mental Disorders
Physician-Patient Relations
Psychotherapy
Resilience, Psychological
Self Disclosure
Stereotyping
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11252Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1037/a0027824Publication Info
Zerubavel, Noga; & Wright, Margaret O'Dougherty (2012). The dilemma of the wounded healer. Psychotherapy (Chic), 49(4). pp. 482-491. 10.1037/a0027824. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11252.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
Collections
More Info
Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Noga Zerubavel
Assistant Consulting Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Noga Zerubavel, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and Assistant Consulting Professor
in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Medical
Center, where she is involved in clinical education and research. She is involved
in Trauma-informed Teaching and Learning in Education research project, supervises
in Duke Family Studies, and participates in teaching for the clinical psychology predoctoral
internship program.

Articles written by Duke faculty are made available through the campus open access policy. For more information see: Duke Open Access Policy
Rights for Collection: Scholarly Articles
Works are deposited here by their authors, and represent their research and opinions, not that of Duke University. Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info