The above photo depicts me punching a wide-eyed rabbit in what one would imagine is a scene from a frightening dream. I’ll provide context on this matter in a bit. For now, I invite you to learn about the concept known as use of self. I think this can be a valuable tool if used properly.
When I attended graduate school for counseling (2009-2011), I was taught that psychotherapists could combine personal and professional aspects of oneself in order to enhance the well-being of clients. At the time, counselors were cautioned to employ “professional use of self” sparingly.
Later on my educational path, when attending graduate school for social work (2012-2014), there was more emphasis placed on this technique. According to one source, “The social work profession requires that practitioners attend to drawing reflectively on the ‘self’ in organizing their practices.”
At first glance, this tool may seem fairly straightforward. For instance, my name is Deric, I have awareness of myself as answering to that name, and this identify along with my experience comprises the concept of self. Regarding this matter, one source expands thusly:
The self is the subject of one’s own experience of phenomena: perception, emotions, and thoughts. In phenomenology, it is conceived as what experiences, and there isn’t any experiencing without an experience, the self. The self is therefore an “immediate given”, an intrinsic dimension of the fact of experiencing phenomena. In some other trends of philosophy, the self is instead seen as requiring a reflexive perception of oneself, the individual person, meaning the self in such a view is an object of consciousness.
[splashing you with a bucket of cold water] Wake up! I imagine you were nodding off while reading that description of the self. Perhaps a little less focus on the finer points of philosophical exploration and a little more attention to the psychotherapeutic concept at hand is in order.
Remember that there’s still the matter of a terrifying rabbit to be discussed. I suspect that you don’t want to doze off without knowing about a creature which lurks in the dark, so paying attention may serve you well. Now, where was I? Oh yes, use of self.
According to one source, “The term use of self in therapy refers specifically to the ways in which the therapist draws upon their own feelings, experiences or personality to enhance the therapeutic process.” Given this description, the concept relates to sharing one’s own unique perspective.
Regarding some psychotherapeutic modalities, therapists don’t reveal much about themselves. Rather, they serve as a sort of blank slate onto which clients project their thoughts, beliefs, or projections.
I suppose that if a clinician favors a modality such as psychanalysis, refraining from use of self could be a proper approach to working with defense mechanisms. However, I practice rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) and the blank slate approach isn’t favored by this model.
The late psychologist who developed REBT, Albert Ellis—who at one point practiced psychoanalysis, wasn’t particularly shy about using examples of himself when doing so was to the benefit of other people For instance, Ellis stated in one interview:
I have done lots of other things that I regret but I never upset myself about those things. They’re just regrets, sorrows, disappointments, frustrations. I made mistakes, I am a fallible human who has made mistakes. Too bad. But I never put myself down for making these errors.
I think we’re getting closer to addressing that rabbit. In any case, what I appreciate about Ellis’ admission is that he didn’t hold himself out as a psychotherapist who sat atop a pedestal and helped the infirmed people who agonized below him.
This is a position I’ve observed regarding many clinicians within the field of mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Who would want to receive treatment or management of problems from a plastic therapist upon a heightened pedestal? What use of self from such a person could there be?
Yet, I digress. According to one source, “The use of self in social work practice is the combining of knowledge, values, and skills gained in social work education with aspects of one’s personal self, including personality traits, belief systems, life experiences, and cultural heritage.”
When undergoing the educational process for social work, students were encouraged to use the aforementioned aspects addressed in the latter source. Similar to the advisement received when learning about counseling, use of self was intended to be employed sparingly.
For instance, I wouldn’t intentionally hijack a client’s session by telling a story about myself that doesn’t relate to a client’s matter at hand. Yet, if what I’m willing to share about my own experience may benefit and not foreseeably harm the client, it’s ethically appropriate to share.
Now, about that formidable rabbit! The photo associated with this blogpost was taken during a time when I was transitioning from appellate leave with the Marine Corps to veteran status. It’s also a picture of me within one year of having gotten divorced.
Although the intention of the image was meant to be humorous, the nickname given to me by coworkers was “Twist Off,” due to my bad temper and hyper-reactivity to various displeasing situations. In actuality, the rabbit wasn’t the concerning element of that photo. I was.
You may ask yourself, “Why is he sharing this personal detail?” While readers of my blog aren’t intended to serve as my clients, though some of the individuals with whom I work in a psychotherapeutic setting may read my content, I’m employing use of self for illustrative effect.
In fact, for the overwhelming majority of blog entries, I use myself as examples so that readers may benefit from exposure to my personality traits, belief systems, life experiences, cultural heritage, and other elements which comprise who, what, and how others know me as (the self).
Of course, I’m not oblivious to the notion that some people don’t necessarily want to know about me. As an example, you may’ve wanted to read stale content about use of self. Here I am, sharing information about my past, and for what reason?
I could write similarly boring posts as plastic therapists who present an artificial image to the public. Truly, it would require far less vulnerability to write industry standard, synthetic content. However, that wouldn’t be true to the self or a proper application regarding use of self.
I shared the photo of the self who was known as “Twist Off” so that you can know how change is possible. I’m not speaking of the sort of change which activists are said to value, apparently forcing change upon the rest of society.
Rather, using the humanistic, self-help approach offered by REBT, I took personal ownership of my reactions to undesirable events in life, challenged my unfavorable beliefs, and learned to change my unpleasant reactions so that now there isn’t anyone who knows me as “Twist Off.”
This is why I’ve shared a silly photo of a scary looking rabbit. I wanted to illustrate how use of self may be of benefit to others. By all means, if learning about me or engaging with anther psychotherapist who uses the self to enhance therapy isn’t for you, find what does work for you.
For everyone else, I hope this blogpost has provided you with understanding and maybe a laugh or two, as I thank you for your time and attention. If you’d like to know more about REBT, I’m here to help. Bear in mind, I may talk about myself here or there.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
AEI. (n.d.). About Albert Ellis, Ph.D. Albert Ellis Institute. Retrieved from https://albertellis.org/about-albert-ellis-phd/
Chisom, E. S. (2015). The use of self in social work practice. University of Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305531016_THE_USE_OF_SELF_IN_SOCIAL_WORK_PRACTICE
Counseling Tutor. (n.d.). Use of self in counseling. Retrieved from https://counsellingtutor.com/use-of-self-in-counselling/
Hollings, D. (2024, May 23). A humanistic approach to mental health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-humanistic-approach-to-mental-health
Hollings, D. (2024, July 17). Confession through projection. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/confession-through-projection
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2024, May 11). Fallible human being. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fallible-human-being
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Lived experience. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/lived-experience
Hollings, D. (2024, March 4). Mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-emotional-and-behavioral-health
Hollings, D. (2024, October 14). Mistakes. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mistakes
Hollings, D. (2023, October 2). Morals and ethics. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/morals-and-ethics
Hollings, D. (2023, November 25). No ragrets. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/no-ragrets
Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings
Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Open, honest, and vulnerable communication. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/open-honest-and-vulnerable-communication
Hollings, D. (2023, December 25). Perception isn’t reality. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/perception-isn-t-reality
Hollings, D. (2022, November 7). Personal ownership. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-ownership
Hollings, D. (2024, March 27). Plastic people. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/plastic-people
Hollings, D. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities
Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist
Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2024, March 14). REBT and emotions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rebt-and-emotions
Hollings, D. (2024, June 5). Self-help. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-help
Hollings, D. (2024, June 19). Treatment vs. management. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/treatment-vs-management
Hollings, D. (2022, August 8). Was Freud right? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/was-freud-right
Hollings, D. (2024, September 29). Well, well, well. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/well-well-well
Hollings, D. (2023, March 25). Your thoughts ain’t my thoughts. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/your-thoughts-ain-t-my-thoughts
McGinn, L. K. (1996). Interview: Albert Ellis on rational emotive behavior therapy. National Academy of Psychotherapy. Retrieved from https://psychotherapy.psychiatryonline.org/doi/pdf/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1997.51.3.309
Walsh, J. (2021). The Dynamics of the Social Worker-Client Relationship – 3: The use of self. Oxford Academic. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/book/39369/chapter-abstract/339036069?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Walters, H. B. (2008). An introduction to use of self in field placement. The New Social Worker. Retrieved from https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/field-placement/An_Introduction_to_Use_of_Self_in_Field_Placement/
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Defense mechanism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_mechanism
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