Posted by Daisym on December 14, 2007, at 0:01:52
In reply to Healing versus Curing, posted by lovelorn on December 13, 2007, at 18:22:03
This is interesting to think about - kind of like the client vs. patient debate.
I agree with everyone that "cure" implies a fix of some kind. But it also implies a self assessment of "being better" - of no longer needing "treatment." I think depression can be cured. I think cancer can be cured. I think being all better though does not mean you never were sick or afflicted.
"Healing" implies, to me, a time-dependent process, in which conditions come together to facilitate the closing of a wound.
I think therapy can both "cure" and "heal." Sometimes someone has a condition, like agoraphobia, that is cured with therapy, and probably other stuff. Sometimes the walking wounded find healing within the theraputic relationship. Sometimes the therapy space itself is the necessary carved out time for healing.
My therapist uses "healing" when he talks about my progress in therapy. It makes me *sigh* because I want him to cure me.
poster:Daisym
thread:800622
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20071204/msgs/800704.html