The practice of psychotherapy can be highly rewarding and gratifying. Therapist regularly make a significant positive impact in the lives of those with whom they work. Yet, this endeavor can also be emotionally demanding and challenging; if we do not attend to our own functioning and wellness, we can be at risk of developing problems with our professional competence (Elman & Forrest, 2007).
The profound affect of Countertransference and the negative cascading affects of being a Wounded Healer is ubiquitous and its ramifications as we all know from being a therapist is far reaching. Distress, Therapist Burnout, Vicarious Traumatization are only a few of these detrimental affects. The importance of Self-Care, and the Promotion of Wellness for Therapist and Trainees are undoubtedly central in being an effective practitioner and indeed a future therapist. This is another key area of my practice. +
I am no exception and due to my own personal and thus professional narrative some years ago I embarked on a detailed study of the Wounded Healer Phenomena as Carl Jung (my favorite psychotherapist) had espoused. This discourse led to my second research thesis for my second Master`s degree:
Jung, wounded healer, countertransference, & self-care
Exploring Jung`s Countertransference Wounded Healer perspective and examining its importance for therapist`s self-care`
Please find my research thesis in the “Insights and Resources” section
My study commenced formally in 2020 and I completed my paper in 2022.
Accordingly, collaborating with fellow therapists is also an integral part of my practice which I have been engaged in over the last year (2022).