Wounded healer

Wounded healer is an archetypal dynamic that psychologist Carl Jung used to describe a phenomenon that may take place in the relationship between analyst and patient.

Jung theorized that there were several modes of communication between analyst and analysand in regards to the "wounded healer phenomena"; a common one being the following example:


 * The psychiatrist, through the nature of his profession is consciously aware of his own personal wounds. However, these wounds may be activated in certain situations, especially if his patient's wounds are similar to his own. (This can be the basis of countertransference).
 * In the meantime, the wounded patient's "inner healer" is unconscious to him, but potentially available.
 * The patient's wounds activate those of the doctor. The doctor realizes what is taking place, and either consciously or unconsciously passes this awareness back to his patient.
 * In this way, an unconscious relationship takes place between analyst and patient.

Jung felt that this type of depth psychology can be potentially dangerous, because the analyst is vulnerable to being infected by his patient's wounds, or having his or her wounds reopened. Also, the analyst must have an ongoing relationship with the unconscious, otherwise he or she could identify with the "healer archetype", and create an inflated ego.

Jung derives the term "wounded healer" from the ancient Greek legend of Asclepius, a physician who in identification of his own wounds creates a sanctuary at Epidaurus in order to treat others.

References:

 * C.G. Jung "The Psychology of the Transference", The Practice of Psychotherapy; CW 16, par. 422.
 * C.G. Jung "Fundamental Questions of Psychotherapy"; ibid. para. 239.
 * "The Jung Lexicon" by Daryl Sharp, Toronto