Karen Horney’s concept of wholeheartedness is embedded in her conceptualization of basic anxiety, and both are fundamental to Horney’s theory of personality development. The clinical relevance of these concepts will be explored within the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. How do we attend to the sequelae of trauma our patients are now (re)experiencing in tandem with our own? In the midst of this shared trauma, how can we think constructively about the anxiety, fear, and uncertainty that both patient and therapist are experiencing? A wholehearted approach offers something essential during these challenging times, as it relates to the therapists’ ongoing attempts to be fully present for our patients, while acknowledging and attending to our own personal variables and inner conflicts.
Wholeheartedness in the Treatment of Shared Trauma: Special Considerations During the COVID-19 Pandemic