Personal Growth Through Suffering. Post-Traumatic Spiritual Transformation

This paper explores the concept of the »Wounded healer« in psychotherapy. It explores how personal struggles as well as emotional wounds can serve as sources of empathy, compassion, and therapeutic efficacy. Drawing on the psychological theories of Carl Jung and Henri Nouwen, the study demonstrates...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Saša Poljak Lukek, Tanja Valenta
Format: Article
Language:deu
Published: University of Zagreb, Catholic Faculty of Theology 2024-01-01
Series:Bogoslovska Smotra
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/475241
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Summary:This paper explores the concept of the »Wounded healer« in psychotherapy. It explores how personal struggles as well as emotional wounds can serve as sources of empathy, compassion, and therapeutic efficacy. Drawing on the psychological theories of Carl Jung and Henri Nouwen, the study demonstrates how personal suffering, when integrated into one’s professional identity, can enhance the therapeutic relationship by fostering deeper connections and mutual healing. In addition, the archetype of the Wounded healer is compared with Attachment theory to illustrate how both emphasize the role of vulnerability and personal growth in developing empathy and the ability to help others. The paper also looks at the influence of religious and spiritual experiences on post-traumatic growth and highlights the transformative power of spirituality in healing and developing professional competence in therapists. The integration of psychological insights with spiritual dimensions provides a nuanced understanding of the role of empathy in therapeutic and religious contexts and demonstrates the interconnectedness of human suffering, personal growth, and healing.
ISSN:0352-3101
1848-9648