Therapists as Wounded Healers: The Impact of Personal Psychological Struggles on Work with Clients
Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: The Impact of Personal Psychological Struggles on Work with ClientsIn Western society, therapists and counselors are expected to be able to help others because they themselves know how to live a healthy and well-adjusted life.According to Sussman (1992), "the idealized image of the psychotherapist is that of a paragon of health and maturity" (p.121).However, contrary to popular opinion, a majority of the therapist population displays a significant history of psychological distress and trauma.Although some of these therapists are considered impaired professionals, those who are able to overcome their history of distress are called wounded healers.This paper will focus on those therapists who have experienced psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, and explore their perception of how this history influences their work with clients in therapy.
Author: Laura Christine Telepak
Institution: Miami University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2284802238