The ancient Japanese art of kintsugi, which means “golden joinery,” is the practice of mending broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Rather than hiding the cracks, kintsugi embraces them, highlighting the object's history and beauty in its brokenness. This philosophy celebrates imperfection and transformation, teaching us that our vulnerabilities and scars are integral parts of our story, not flaws to be concealed.

In this blog, we'll explore how the philosophy of kintsugi through a psychodynamic lens, as it resonates with the journey of healing from mental health disorders, especially trauma and substance use. The psychodynamic approach emphasizes the importance of understanding the hidden and often unconscious parts of ourselves, the wounds we carry, and the defenses we use to protect ourselves from pain. Just as kintsugi transforms a shattered object into something more valuable, therapy aims to turn our broken experiences into sources of strength and growth.

Trauma and the Shattering of the Self

Trauma can be like a force that shatters the self, leaving individuals feeling fragmented, disconnected, or irreparably broken. For those who experience trauma, whether it stems from childhood adversity, abuse, or other deeply distressing events, the sense of being “broken” can feel overwhelming and shameful. Substance use often becomes a coping mechanism—a way to numb the emotional pain and temporarily hold together the pieces of a fractured identity.

Psychodynamic theory helps us understand how people develop defense mechanisms—unconscious strategies to protect themselves from the unbearable feelings brought on by trauma. These defenses, such as repression or denial, serve to keep the broken parts of ourselves hidden from our conscious awareness. At one time, these defense mechanisms worked to protect us from overwhelming pain, but over time, they can become detrimental, preventing us from truly confronting our pain and integrating our experiences into a cohesive sense of self.

Kintsugi teaches us a different approach: instead of hiding the cracks, we can embrace them and transform them into a testament to our resilience. In psychodynamic therapy, the process of healing involves gradually uncovering and facing the hidden wounds, understanding the defenses that have kept us protected, and ultimately finding ways to reintegrate these fragmented parts into a stronger, more authentic self. The gold that fills the cracks in kintsugi is akin to the insights and emotional growth that can emerge when we bring our unconscious wounds into awareness and work through them with compassion.

Substance Use and the Desire to Be Whole

Substance use often represents an attempt to fill a void or to numb the pain of feeling incomplete or broken. Many individuals who struggle with addiction describe a deep sense of emptiness, as though something essential is missing. This longing to feel whole again drives the cycle of substance use, even as it often leads to further fragmentation and disconnection from oneself and others.

The philosophy of kintsugi offers a powerful metaphor for recovery. Instead of seeking an external substance to fill the void or fix the brokenness, kintsugi encourages us to look at the cracks themselves and see them as a meaningful part of our story. In the context of psychodynamic therapy, this means exploring the underlying emotional pain that fuels substance use—acknowledging the feelings of shame, loneliness, or fear that have been buried beneath layers of addiction.

The process of mending, like kintsugi, requires patience and acceptance. In therapy, you are encouraged to reflect on past experiences, understand the emotional wounds that contribute to substance use, and begin to cultivate a sense of compassion for yourself. This self-compassion becomes the “gold” that binds the broken pieces back together, allowing you to see your journey not as one of failure or weakness, but as a testament to your resilience and capacity for growth.

Embracing Imperfection and Finding Meaning

One of the core teachings of kintsugi is that imperfections are not something to hide but something to honor. This is a profound shift for many who have experienced trauma or struggled with addiction, as these experiences are often accompanied by intense feelings of shame and self-blame. Therapy aims to help you explore these feelings and understand their origins, often rooted in early relationships or societal expectations that have taught you to view vulnerability as weakness.

By embracing the kintsugi philosophy, you can begin to reframe your narrative—seeing scars not as evidence of brokenness but as symbols of your strength. The therapeutic process becomes an opportunity to create a new, more compassionate relationship with yourself, one that acknowledges past pain while also celebrating the courage it takes to heal.

Just as kintsugi transforms shattered pottery into a cohesive and beautiful whole, the goal of therapy is to help you integrate your fragmented parts into a unified self. This involves recognizing and accepting the parts of oneself that have been split off or denied, finding meaning in the struggles, and ultimately creating a sense of wholeness that includes, rather than excludes, the wounds of the past.

Final Thoughts

The philosophy of kintsugi reminds us that healing is not about returning to a state of “unbrokenness” but about embracing the journey of repair and transformation. Psychodynamic therapy, with its focus on exploring the unconscious, understanding the impact of past experiences, and developing insight, aligns beautifully with this perspective. The therapeutic process is not about erasing the past but about finding ways to integrate it into a richer, more meaningful present.

For those recovering from trauma and substance use, the journey can be long and challenging, but it is also an opportunity to create something new—something that honors the cracks and celebrates the resilience required to mend them. Just as kintsugi turns broken pottery into art, psychodynamic therapy can turn experiences of pain and loss into a source of strength, meaning, and beauty.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the aftermath of trauma or substance use, consider reaching out for a consultation and gain the power of embracing your story, cracks, and all. Through the process of self-exploration and healing, it is possible to transform pain into a testament to resilience, creating a life that is not defined by what has been broken but by how it has been mended.