Description
Sharon Farber, Ph.D.: The Wounded Healer Psychotherapist
Psychotherapists are often drawn to their future professions as a result of early traumatic experiences and being helped by their own treatment; yet they fear compromising their reputations if they publicly acknowledge such suffering in themselves.
Not acknowledging this can feel like a dirty secret. We have nothing to be ashamed of. We are as human as our patients and should celebrate overcoming our difficulties enough that we can help others with theirs.
Learning Objectives
- Describe Jung’s concept of the archetype of the wounded healer psychotherapist, as well as the origin of the concept of celebrating the wounded healer psychotherapist.
- Describe how Freud’s efforts to overcome his traumatic past led to ruthless behavior that became a template for his followers to become wounding healers themselves.
About Sharon Farber, Ph.D.
Sharon Farber has a PhD in clinical social work and is a Board-Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work. She is in private practice in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY and also conducts private training in psychoanalysis, child treatment, eating disorders and EMDR. Dr. Farber has taught at medical schools, schools of social work, training institutes, and at the Cape Cod Institute. She has been an invited speaker in North America and abroad.Dr. Farber authored several journal articles and three books: When the Body Is the Target: Self-Harm, Pain, and Traumatic Attachments; Hungry for Ecstasy: Trauma, the Brain, and the Influence of the Sixties; and Celebrating the Wounded Healer Psychotherapist: Pain, Post-Traumatic Growth and Self-Disclosure.
Instructional level: Introductory to intermediate
Intended audience: All mental health professionals interested in this topic
