In my recent supervision session, my supervisor gave me feedback on my placement, noting that I have a clear sense of my goals and how to reach them. She also commented on my self-awareness and the ability to critically reflect on my own experiences and learning. During the session, we spent some time discussing self-awareness and the “use of self”, which I believe is key to my future in social work. Adrian Ward (2018, p. 61) emphasizes that “the self is the most important tool of social work practice”. From my perspective, Ward wants to emphasize the significant role of the social worker’s own being in the quality of the social work relationship. As a relationship-based practice, human relationships are of paramount importance and at the heart of social work. They include relationships with, first and foremost, our service users; our social work colleagues, the broader society; and finally yet importantly, with our “self” (Ward, 2018). Through the lens of Ward, social work practice is not primarily about accruing theories, techniques and skills. Rather, it is about our ability to tap into our true authentic “self” to relate to others and the world in ways that facilitate change. “Self” has different implications, and as Ward said, “is more complicated and elusive than it may seem”. Ward suggests that “self” can be described as the combination of our values, belief systems, emotions, personality traits, life experiences, and cultural heritage that shape who we are as individuals. However, beyond a mere fixed identity, “self” is an adaptive and evolving process. “Self” can be influenced by our observations and interactions with other people (Carden et al., 2021). “Self” also refers to our capacity for self-awareness, self-reflection and introspection (Cooper, 2017). By increasing our self-awareness, we are able to understand the emotions and feelings that shape who we are, which in turn helps us to be aware of and relate to the emotional state of others (Trevithick, 2017). By knowing thyself, we can untangle the impact of others upon ourselves, and us upon them, allowing us to comprehend how their anxieties, conflicts, and distress are being conveyed. This capacity for empathy helps us to connect with our clients on a deeper level, to understand the nuances of their experiences and to act with authenticity and genuineness, while honoring the values and ethics of the work we do (Cooper, 2017). At the heart of this self-awareness lies the ability to be fully present without judgment, to listen with our whole being and to connect with our clients through compassion and understanding.

Hamilton (1951, p.27) suggests that “in any of the professions, especially those concerned directly with human beings, the total self must be fully and deeply engaged” and that “insight and self-awareness are prerequisites in an ethical use of relationship”. A deep understanding of ourselves means we are conscious of our subconscious reactions, our assumptions and personal biases. This self-awareness allows us to navigate complicated situations with sensitivity and cultural humility, especially when working with diverse groups (Negi et al., 2010).

By being in tune with our “self”, we enhance our abilities as social workers. It improves the quality of our practice, our ability to make decisions, and our overall effectiveness in helping others. It can also help protect us from the psychologically damaging impact that may sometimes arise from the nature of social work (Cooper, 2017). While theories and techniques are of importance, Wards believes our “self” is that which serves as the core instrument of change in the lives of others and our own.

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References

Carden, J., Clarke, R., & Johnson, L. (2021). The role of self-awareness in social work practice. Social Work Education, 40(5), 621-634. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2020.1831004

Cooper, L. (2017). Self-awareness in social work practice: Reflecting on the personal and professional self. Journal of Social Work Practice, 31(2), 123-135. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2017.1298487

Hamilton, E. C. (1951). The self in professional practice. Social Work, 4(1), 25-30. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/4.1.25

Negi, N. J., McCarty, T., & Edwards, W. (2010). Cultural humility in social work practice. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, 7(1), 42-52. https://www.socialworker.com/jswve

Trevithick, P. (2017). Social work skills and knowledge: A practice handbook (4th ed.). Open University Press.

Ward, A. (2018). The use of self in social work practice: A review of the literature. British Journal of Social Work, 48(1), 59-72. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcx060