Speaker
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Beth Foley
Malignant Altruism
Many of us—particularly those in the helping professions—are drawn toward the suffering of others. It gives meaning, purpose, and a sense of connection. But what happens when the impulse to help becomes excessive, compulsive, or even harmful? In clinical practice, we frequently encounter individuals whose generosity has tipped into exhaustion and alienation from their own inner lives. This seminar will explore the developmental pathways to what may be understood as malignant altruism—a form of helping that, paradoxically, undermines both the helper and those they seek to support. We will consider the religious and archetypal forces that shape this pattern, and reflect on what it means to move toward a more integrated and sustainable form of healthy altruism.
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