The 5 Soul Wounds
The 5 Soul Wounds
What are the five soul wounds? How do they shape your existence? How can online therapy help you?
According to the theory of the five wounds, every human being is conditioned—sometimes more, sometimes less—by one or more of these traumas of the soul: rejection, abandonment, injustice, humiliation, and betrayal. They usually emerge in childhood, during the first interactions with caregivers, and may persist into adulthood if the “inner child” has not been acknowledged, listened to, and healed. This framework gained wide recognition through Lise Bourbeau’s book “The Five Wounds and How to Heal Them.” However, its origins trace back to the 1990s and the work of John Pierrakos, founder of Core Energetics, who first identified the five traumas and their “masks”—the ways individuals carry these wounds into the world.
Bourbeau reworked the theory, tested it on herself, and highlighted how many physical, emotional, and mental struggles stem from these wounds, which often go unnoticed for years or even decades. To cope, people develop masks or strategies to silence the pain, leaving the wounds buried in the subconscious. According to her, we may not carry all five wounds, but everyone is marked by at least one.
Failing to bring these wounds into awareness means never resolving them—remaining trapped in cycles of suffering and limiting patterns that undermine both mind and body.
By working on these wounds, however, we can uncover the root causes of various imbalances (e.g., eating disorders, addictions, chronic dissatisfaction) and learn why we think or behave in certain ways.
The Five Soul Wounds
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Rejection
This wound is the deepest, affecting the very sense of self. It leads to self-denial, low self-worth, and difficulty accepting or loving oneself—and, as a result, others. Those with this wound may withdraw, prefer invisibility, and avoid challenges. Yet they are often highly introspective, intellectual, and intuitive.
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Abandonment
Common especially among women, this wound creates difficulty being alone. Solitude feels painful, leading to clinging relationships or dependency. Those who carry it often experience deep fear of loss, constant need for affection, and anticipatory anxiety. Yet they may also be socially active, seeking belonging in groups or associations.
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Humiliation
This wound produces deep shame and feelings of inferiority. However, individuals with it can be hardworking, practical, and skilled at creating tangible results. They often put others’ needs ahead of their own and are characterized by empathy and hypersensitivity.
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Betrayal
Born from broken trust—unkept promises, unrealistic expectations—this wound makes people controlling, demanding, and intolerant of weakness. They set high expectations for themselves and others, striving for success but often exhausting themselves by trying to control situations and relationships.
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Injustice
This wound leads to feelings of unworthiness and perfectionism. People deny themselves pleasures until they achieve impeccable results. Physically, it shows as rigidity and prideful posture. They value order and precision but may appear cold in relationships.
How online therapy can help
Online therapy can help identify which of the five wounds remain unresolved, bringing them into awareness and supporting their healing. These wounds often arise in childhood (birth, separation from parents, first attempts at independence, etc.), but they can also be intergenerational—passed down through family dynamics. Therapy helps trace these connections, rework unresolved traumas, and restore balance.
Participation in group therapy, such as the “Online psychotherapy group for adults who were victims of childhood abuse” (link), may also provide valuable support.
For information, contact Dr. Jessica Zecchini
Email: consulenza@jessicazecchini.it — WhatsApp: +39 370 32 17 351
