THE WOUNDED HELPER
“Rather than concealing their wounds, shamanic healers often display them as marks of the authenticity of their skills” (Remen, et al., 1985).
While I am not a shaman, I do consider myself a wounded helper – I have hit bumps in life, and I have the scars to prove it. I hold pride for those scars, and want my clients to 
know that my life has been far from perfect. A counsellor’s job is never to judge; however, when we are feeling especially vulnerable, it is easy to perceive that others (even counsellors) may not have struggled as you are, or worse: are being critical of where you are at.
The truth is, resiliency is cultivated in the tough times, not in times of ease. Learning how to better navigate a current struggle enables you to better navigate ones in the future. In this way, counselling is an investment in long-term self-efficacy. Coping strategies that work best for you will be unveiled and more readily accessed for future bumps-in-the-road. There is such a thing in the counselling world known as “post-traumatic growth”. Take the first step towards enhancing your resiliency, self-awareness, and personal wisdom. And embrace wearing those scars like the freaking fierce warrior you are.
christine@blacksheepcounselling.com
