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Wounded healer archetype
As the value of personal experience of mental health problems is recognized in policy, supported by research and increasingly promoted in practice (see [44] Repper, 2013), it is interesting to look at the roots of the concept of the "wounded healer". A systematic review of the literature on "wounded healers" was undertaken to identify, define and interpret the term and its application within the mental health environment. The eight key medical/health databases relevant to this field of study were interrogated accordingly (Table I [Figure omitted. See Article Image.]). Various terms are used to refer to this concept which resulted in a wide range of search terms being used as shown in the following list:
1.] HEALTH PERSONEL
2.] PSYCHOLOGY
3.] PSYCHIATRY
4.] PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
5.] SOCIAL WORK/SOCIAL WORK, PSYCHIATRIC
6.] PSYCHOTHERAPY
7.] MENTAL HEALTH
8.] "PERSONAL PROBLEMS".ti,ab
9.] LIFE CHANGE EVENTS/LIFE EVENT
10.] "WOUNDED HEALER*" ti,ab
11.] ((THERAPIST* adj2 SURVIVOR*)). ti,ab
12.] ATTITUDE OF HEALTH PERSONNEL
13.] IMPAIRMENT, HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
14.] MENTAL HEALTH CARE PERSONNEL
15.] PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
16.] THERAPIST CHARACTERISTICS
17.] LIFE EXPERIENCES
In total, 835 papers were identified in the systematic database search and abstracts were obtained for each to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. In total, 237 sources were retrieved for critical reading, to assess relevance and value to the review, and 125 documents were subsequently included. Through thematic analysis a number of themes and sub themes were identified as follows:
1.] Genesis:
- concept and chronology;
- cultural considerations for the wounded-healer paradigm;
- the application of the concept of the Buddying system between peers within alcohol and substance misuse rehabilitation.
2.] The role of "wounds" in healing:
- the wounded healer within the pastoral care setting; and
- the role of consumer survivors.
3.] Emotional wellbeing in the workplace:
- why individuals choose to enter the caring/therapeutic professions;
- stress, anxiety and burnout;
- the impact of mental health issues on clinical practice;
- self-help and self-care of clinical staff: keeping well at work; and
- the perception of the value and validity of a clinician with mental health issues working within a medical/therapeutic environment.
4.] Peer support:
- the notion of "peer" workers within mental health services.
1. Genesis
Concept and chronology
Although the...