Wounded Healer
Authors: Denise Betty and Ava Ewan-Harris
Who is a wounded healer?
This article seeks to provide a detailed analysis of both a psychological and a biblical perspective of a wounded healer. After reading this, the author desires that the reader will gain a deeper understanding of who a wounded healer is. According to Carl Jung, a known psychoanalyst and psychiatrist, the term wounded healer is someone who is compelled to help others after going through their own experiences of suffering when an individual survives the wound of their past. Their loved ones shared experiences can help provide a deeper understanding and empathy toward their clients. They can also help motivate others to overcome similar struggles. I have met many therapists who have gone into this field because of their personal experience with loved ones who have suffered mental illness. There are many untold stories of therapists who go into the field because of mental illness they themselves have and continue to struggle with. Many wounded helpers have turned their wounds into wisdom and continue to work in their own recovery which promotes healing.
Wounded healers have an intimate understanding of agony. She is able to heal her own wound and uses this knowledge to help heal others. A wounded healer uses her own suffering to channel the healing process. A wounded healer does not need to be healed to be effective. When helping others, a wounded healer is able to draw on the experience of his/ her own suffering which helps to generate unmeasured amounts of compassion, empathy and understanding for others. According to Nouwen, a well- known psychologist, wounded healers are individuals who must look after their own wounds but at the same time be prepared to heal the wounds of others.
There are two insights of wounded healers. First, their wounds are not the source of shame and secondly, their wounds are a source of healing. The ability to heal comes from understanding of one’s own pain. One’s personal pain provides the opportunity to convert weaknesses into strengths. Jung concludes that the wounded healer is sometimes the best choice of therapist.
The Psychological perspective of the wounded healer.
Nobody escapes being wounded. We experience wounds and brokenness whether physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. Other ways we experience wounds are through societal oppression, family dysfunction, abuse on all levels, racism, sexism, and inequality. The concept of the wounded healer is the notion that the experience of having been wounded will somehow increase empathy to others.
Personality Traits of a Wounded Healer:
1. Individuals who sometimes help too much and struggle to let people self- heal and understanding heart suffering
2. Criticism feels particularly painful to you.
3. Individuals are grateful for the difficulties they went through
4. Individuals who are always working on themselves; are committed to self -growth, open minded and more aware.
5. Individuals who have a sound sense of purpose
6. An individual whose goal is to know that they have helped even just one person in their lives
7. Individuals who struggle hard not to let your work become their lives.
The Biblical perspective of a wounded healer.
Wounded healers use their pain, shame and brokenness to help others receive comfort and encouragement. They share in the suffering of Christ and they share with other people the comfort of Christ. According to scriptures, many biblical scholars can be described as wounded healers. This is the epitome of what a wounded healer is as becomes evident in the gospel. Through Jesus’ life, we see him ministering physically and spiritually healing for many people. Some characters in the bible that are considered wounded healers, such as Joseph and David provide good examples of what a wounded healer does as their purpose unfold. David expresses in Psalms 51:3, 12 -13.” For I acknowledge my transgression and my sin is ever before me.” Unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. . Then, I will teach transgressors your way so that sinners will turn back to you. He had experienced periods of darkness and pain that brings comfort to suffering.
Joseph went through a series of hurt, brokenness and mental anguish, yet through all this he remains faithful to God and was ultimately able to help his family and provide a sanctuary for them in their time of dire need. In Genesis 45 verse 1-5 “Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. Here we see a classic case of the wounded healer, who amid his anguish and pain, realized that his ultimate purpose was to provide safety and salvation to his house.
Jesus, the wounded healer, saved the world on the cross but did not save himself because he understood that the purpose was to provide salvation for a broken world who was separated from God. It is through this ultimate brokenness that the plan of salvation was crafted for mankind to find redemption. Matthew 27:42. He saved others: himself he cannot Israel let him now come down from the cross and we will believe him. Jesus Christ suffered and died to heal us of our sins. 1 Peter 3:18. “For Christ, also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God.” He was put to death but made alive in the spirit. Apostle Paul the wounded healer. 2 Corinthians 12:10. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness in insults in hardship, in persecutions in difficulties for when I’m weak, then I am strong.
Through these instances from the scriptures it becomes clear that God specialized in our weaknesses; he makes us strong and allows our brokenness to help us develop characteristics and strength to further help others. The wounds we experience are proof that we are injured and now we are equipped for a purpose. Paul said it best when he expressed in 2nd Corinthians 4 verse 7-12.” 7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. The injury becomes a testimony that indicates something had happened. Wounded healers are able to transfer their pain into the purpose that creates platforms that show the healing power of God. In conclusion, a large part of healing occurs in the telling of stories and maintaining our relationship with Jesus Christ even as we provide healing to our fellow man.
