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Published Online: 1 June 2023

The Therapeutic Value of Vulnerability: A Psychiatrist’s Perspective on “We Have all Been Through a Lot”

Lien-Chung Wei, M.P.H. [email protected]Authors Info & Affiliations

Publication: Psychiatric Services

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.20230115

TO THE EDITOR: I am a psychiatrist from Taiwan who specializes in treating patients with depression and suicidal tendencies. I recently read “We Have All Been Through a Lot: Use of Vulnerability and Self as a Healing Bridge,” which appeared in the March issue (1), and I found it to be a truly insightful and thought-provoking piece.

As a psychiatrist, I am all too familiar with the difficulties that my patients face with emotional vulnerability and the need for self-expression. In my experience, the cultural and societal stigmas that surround mental health can often challenge patients to be open about their feelings and seek the help that they need. This is why I found Dr. Roston’s emphasis on the therapeutic value of vulnerability to be particularly compelling.

Dr. Roston argues that vulnerability can serve as a healing bridge that helps individuals develop a deeper sense of self-awareness and emotional growth. By encouraging patients to embrace their emotions, rather than suppress them, we can create a more supportive and empathetic space for them to work through their challenges. As someone who works with patients dealing with depression and suicide, I have seen firsthand how important this kind of approach can be.

Overall, I would like to express my appreciation for this Personal Account and its contribution to the field of psychiatry and mental health. It is my hope that more clinicians will take note of the power of vulnerability and incorporate this approach into their own practice. By doing so, we can help our patients overcome their emotional challenges and move toward a more fulfilling and satisfying life.

Reference

Roston D: We have all been through a lot: use of vulnerability and self as a healing bridge. Psychiatr Serv 2023; 74:324

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Psychiatric Services

Volume 74 • Number 6 • June 01, 2023

Pages: 671

PubMed: 37259589

History

Accepted: 6 April 2023

Published online: 1 June 2023

Published in print: June 01, 2023

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Authors

Details

Lien-Chung Wei, M.P.H. [email protected]

Department of Addiction Psychiatry, Republic of China Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.

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Notes

Send correspondence to Mr. Wei ([email protected]).

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The Therapeutic Value of Vulnerability: A Psychiatrist’s Perspective on “We Have all Been Through a Lot”

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