Use of Self: A Primer Revisited

Abstract

Use of self is a concept that is universally accepted yet equally ambiguous. Melding the professional self of what one knows (training, knowledge, techniques) with the personal self of who one is (personality traits, belief systems, and life experience) is a hallmark of skilled practice. This paper synthesizes seminal works regarding the concept of use of self and suggests a five-category typology for defining and describing use of self in social work practice. Drawing from the literature and practice wisdom gleaned from the author's clinical, teaching, and supervisory observations, the article proposes that use of self can be operationally defined as: use of personality; use of belief system; use of relational dynamics; use of anxiety; and use of self-disclosure.

Namaste Theory: A Quantitative Grounded Theory on Religion and Spirituality in Mental Health Treatment

“…Indeed, Dewane (2006) has attempted to hone in an explanation of this skill to include our use of personality, belief system (though RS is not explicitly mentioned in this example but can be inferred), relational dynamics, anxiety, and self-disclosure. What the use of self as a skill fails to address however, is this process in Namaste Theory which states, "the sacred in me sees and honors the sacred in you."…”

Use of Self in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

“…Dewane (2006) proposes five operational uses of self that contribute to the skilled practitioner's ability to effectively blend the professional self in terms of knowledge and technique with the personal self made up of life experiences, beliefs and personality traits. These uses of self include personality, belief system, relational dynamics, anxiety, and self-disclosure.…”

Use of Self in Relational Clinical Social Work

“…While many social work scholars and practitioners have defined use of self-differently, these definitions offered share a common feature. They are based on a definition of the individual as a freestanding being that is self-contained-though at times in interaction with other such entities-and relatively stable or constant (see, e.g., Davies 1994;Edwards and Bess 1998;Dewane 2007). The authors offer an alternate understanding of self: self as process in interaction.…”

“…Perspectives on the Use of Self Among practitioners, use of self is variously defined as the social worker's honesty and spontaneity (Davies 1994), his or her genuineness, vulnerability, and self-awareness in interaction (Edwards and Bess 1998), as well as the mindful use of one's belief system, the ability to be empathic, a willingness to model and share one's self, and the ability and willingness to judiciously self-disclose (Dewane 2007). These qualities-honesty, genuineness, awareness, etc.-are significant in relation to an underlying theory that provides a definition of self and mechanisms for change.…”

“…Rather, self only exists in relation to an other, though the other may be real, internalized or imagined. The self of which one becomes aware and uses mindfully in social work practice, as suggested by Dewane (2007), is the result of the accumulation of past interactions as well as the specific interaction with this client at this time, for the specific purpose of this social work practice. Levine (2007) identified a similar conception when she referred to the specific ''persona'' of the analyst that is present in the specific analytic context.…”