Lived experiences of women healers

Women healers have been present in most cultures over time, however, their knowledge and experiences have largely been undocumented. While there is some testimony of current women healers in popular press, their stories are noticeably absent from the academic literature.

To describe lived experiences of women healers.

This qualitative study using in depth interviews conducted from 2023-2024 is framed in a critical research paradigm and a phenomenological framework. We used purposive snowball sampling to interview 22 women healers and analyzed the data using thematic analysis.

Themes identified include: 1) description of women healers and how they think about the healing work they do, including their love of learning, 2) healers definitions of healing, 3) identity as healers, 4) healing as transformative in nature for clients and practitioners, 5) supports (supportive people, self-care, and networks) and challenges(their own fears, fear and misunderstanding from their communities, lack of time and money, and not being valued as women healers).

Women healers indicate they are on a unique unfolding healing journey moved by lifelong learning and integration; the journey is inherently meaningful, spiritual and transformative in nature despite the challenges. Claiming identity as a woman healer is paradoxical and holds tension. Healers love the work they do, valuing the transformation they see in themselves and in their clients.