Examining the Wounded Healer Archetype: A Case Study in Expert Addictions Nursing Practice

Abstract

This article examines the archetype of the wounded healer as manifested in the practice of expert addiction nurses. A previous study of therapeutic use of self with addicted clients in early recovery is expanded with the use of a case study approach. Two clinical scenarios of one expert addictions nurse illustrate how the nurse's own health pattern can include the wounded healer archetype and how the recognition of this pattern can be used to effect therapeutic outcomes in practice. Analysis of the scenarios provides the basis for discussion of this aspect of the expert nurse's mutual health patterning with the client. The case study provides a qualitative analysis of therapeutic and less therapeutic nurse-client relationships with the wounded healer archetype used as a framework Nurses at all levels of proficiency can benefit by applying these concepts to their work with addicted clients.

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