While in Kenya I met an American psychologist who once referred to himself as a ‘wounded healer.’ In one of our therapy sessions, I said to him, “No, you don’t understand my trauma.” And he said to me, “You are right, I do not experience your trauma the way you do. However, I taste your tears. I was born during the WWII; my mother became a causality of war, and we became refugees.” He went on to say, “How can I heal if I haven’t experienced pain and healing?”

Years later, as I stood on the sandy shores of Whitefords beach in wa staring into the aqua blue ocean I felt a surge of emotions that reminded me of my pains. I remembered the American psychologist from Kenya who saw himself as a ‘wounded healer.’ As I stared into the ocean I delved into my life. I saw my brokenness, felt my fragility, and touched my vulnerability. I externalized my sufferings in a painting I did call, “Nirvana – seeing through the heart.”

I saw myself and others through the lens of my heart. I had a light bulb moment. I realised that I was not just a counsellor but a wounded healer! Carl Jung coined the term or archetype ‘wounded healer.’ Jung realised that persons who were aware of their own vulnerabilities were inclined to be empathetic of the sufferings of others (groesbeck, 1975).

As a therapist my trials and recovery processes helped me understand my clients’ pain and healing. Reflecting on Jung’s concept of a ‘wounded healer’ I realise the value of my spiritual emergencies and recovery processes for myself and my clients (Zerubavel & wright, 2012).

Would you consider yourself a ‘wounded healer?’