https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2024.808
Motivations to become psychotherapists: beyond the concept of the wounded healer
Submitted: June 11, 2024
Accepted: August 1, 2024
Published: August 26, 2024
Accepted: August 1, 2024
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Authors
Motivations to become psychotherapists have long been associated with the concept of the wounded healer, which posits that practitioners entering the field of mental health often do so as a result of their own personal struggles and challenges. Early difficulties and wounds are seen as a source of healers’ capacity to comprehend and promote the processes of recovery, fostering a deeper connection between the healer and the person seeking support. Nevertheless, other factors not directly linked with early adversities have been posited to have an influence on the development of motivations towards pursuing a career in the psychological field. The present work aimed to review available empirical literature on the motivations to become psychotherapists, encompassing the concept of the wounded healer as well as other possible factors shaping practitioners’ career choice. Three main domains of motivations have been addressed within the wounded healer framework: dysfunctional caregiving, negative personal experiences in the family of origin, and other early relational issues. Additionally, two other main domains, namely self-oriented and altruistic motivations, have been identified, and the concept of the healing healer was proposed to underline both the self-oriented healing process that a person may undergo while becoming a therapist, as well as the altruistic attitude in providing healing care towards others. Results were discussed addressing possible links between conscious and unconscious motivations to become therapists as well as in terms of clinical implications for practitioners in the field of clinical psychology.
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How to Cite
Cruciani, G., Liotti, M., & Lingiardi, V. (2024). Motivations to become psychotherapists: beyond the concept of the <i>wounded healer</i>. Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome, 27(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2024.808
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