The "Rescuer": A Therapist Remembers
April/16/2009 06:28 AM Filed in: Ethics &
Archetypes
The
"Rescuer" is an archetype that many of us know well.
Rescuing is almost always counterproductive in a
bodywork practice because it keeps clients stuck. If
they feel stuck, they are more likely to continue
their search for a more effective therapist. We
should be finding more ways to empower them and guide
them to discovering their own healing. By empowering
our clients, we strengthen them to continue working
with us as partners. A client who has found personal
victories and a more empowered self-concept by going
to you is more likely to continue coming AND refer
others to you! Here is what one therapist wrote as
she looked back on the early years of her massage
career.
"My lowest score on the archetype self-test was "the Rescuer". I am quite happy about that. I have done a lot of Rescuing in my life and am glad it holds a low score in my life now. I now realize that others must find their own way and for me to mother them or offer more help or treatment than is necessary, is really a disservice to another human.
In the past, I realize that I have taken the "Rescuer" stance on an unconscious level so that I did not have the time or energy to look at my own problems and solve them for myself. I know that I resent anyone telling me something I already know and I believe we already know what needs doing in our lives. It was insulting to do for another what they could do for themselves. By rescuing I said that I didn't have confidence in them to take care of themselves.
I am grateful for the insight looking at this archetype has given me. I feel that the psychological interaction between client and healer is key and I am eager to always learn anything that will help me do a better job."
"My lowest score on the archetype self-test was "the Rescuer". I am quite happy about that. I have done a lot of Rescuing in my life and am glad it holds a low score in my life now. I now realize that others must find their own way and for me to mother them or offer more help or treatment than is necessary, is really a disservice to another human.
In the past, I realize that I have taken the "Rescuer" stance on an unconscious level so that I did not have the time or energy to look at my own problems and solve them for myself. I know that I resent anyone telling me something I already know and I believe we already know what needs doing in our lives. It was insulting to do for another what they could do for themselves. By rescuing I said that I didn't have confidence in them to take care of themselves.
I am grateful for the insight looking at this archetype has given me. I feel that the psychological interaction between client and healer is key and I am eager to always learn anything that will help me do a better job."