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The dilemma of the wounded healer.

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Date
2012-12
Authors
Zerubavel, Noga
Wright, Margaret O'Dougherty
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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 article
Subject
Attitude to Health
Empathy
Health Personnel
Humans
Mental Disorders
Physician-Patient Relations
Psychotherapy
Resilience, Psychological
Self Disclosure
Stereotyping
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11252
Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1037/a0027824
Publication 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.
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Scholars@Duke

Zerubavel

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.
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