Father Wound and Talking Cure: The Psychoanalysis of the Autobiographical Narratives of Elizabeth Garrison and Kim Walker-Smith

Psychoanalytic theory probes the unconscious drivers of human behaviour, revealing repressed traumas that influence actions. According to Freud, unresolved traumatic memories hinder normal functioning of a victim. The process of "transference" facilitates confronting and acknowledging these experiences, restoring psychic wholeness. This study delves into the psychological impact of "father wounds", examining the autobiographical narratives of Elizabeth Garrison's Wounds of the Father: A True Story of Child Abuse, Betrayal, and Redemption and Kim Walker-Smith's Brave Surrender: Let God’s Love Rewrite Your Story. By applying psychoanalytic theories, this research probes the unconscious motivations behind traumatic behaviours, highlighting the therapeutic potential of "the talking cure.” Father wounds, inflicted by toxic paternal behaviour, severely impair the physical and emotional well-being. These autobiographies illuminate the devastating consequences of physical, mental and sexual abuse. The objective of this study is to investigate the causes, symptoms and impact areas of the father wound and to analyse the therapeutic efficacy of "the talking cure" in navigating trauma. The expected outcomes of this study are a deeper understanding of the traumatic effects of father wounds and empirical support for "the talking cure" as a healing mechanism. This study thus demonstrates the transformative power of psychoanalytic intervention in confronting father wounds, promoting healing and redemption.

Keywords: Psychoanalysis, Talking Cure, Expressive Talking, Father Wound, Psychotherapy