Resourcing the Heart and Soul of the Therapist: The A-E-I Framework for Self of Therapist Exploration ~ An Overview

The therapeutic relationship has often been considered a very important part of the treatment process. Leading experts such as Salvador Minuchin, Virginia Satir, Carl Whitaker, Daniel Siegel, and Harry Aponte, presented and utilized important facets of use of self and mindfulness of the therapist.  Alliance and therapist utilizing him/herself in the process, along with theoretical principles and sound interventions, integrate to provide optimal treatment outcome. These concepts are often referred to as Self of the Therapist, Use of Self of Therapist, and Person of the Therapist.
 
Oftentimes in the treatment process as we access our client’s experiences and emotions, our own humanness comes online, which can be challenging to understand and navigate, as well as greatly beneficial.  Understanding our self in the context of our work and learning to skillfully use our self with our clients makes the therapeutic experience rich and rewarding, for both client and therapist. 
 
“Clearly, it is through our own humanity that we can connect with, intervene, and help transform the work with our clients” (Aponte, 2009).  As we open our self to our own life story walking alongside that of our clients, we learn that our own views, emotions, experiences, etc., become an important intervention in the work.  As a therapist learns to better understand his/her own world, he/she learns to better utilize what Salvador Minuchin referred to as the greatest asset to treatment – the therapist (Minuchin, 2013).   And in doing so, the added benefit is becoming our own resilient self!
 
Theoretical Framework for Self of the Therapist
 
Resourcing the Heart & Soul of the Therapist: The A-E-I Framework for Self of Therapist Exploration, is a three-phase process, organic in nature, allowing things to evolve in a sequence, while also recognizing that growth and change do not happen in a linear fashion.  The 3 phases are:
 
Phase 1 – Awareness and Acceptance of Self
Phase 2 – Exploration and Expression of Self
Phase 3 – Integration of Self Back into the Work. 
 
In this framework, Self of The Therapist definitions, concepts and misconceptions (i.e., transference/countertransference, blocks as problematic) are presented and discussed.  Participants walk through a framework that includes a series of exercises progressing from awareness and understanding of our self and our attachment style/coping strategies in the context of our work, to exploring the therapist’s history and how this informs our work, to learning how our story can be utilized to great benefit for the treatment.  Exercises are progressive in nature, while also being circular, as each part weaves with other aspects.
  
An important distinction is recognizing that while this is considered more consultation work for a therapist, it may at times feel like it is therapy.  It is important to be mindful this type of consultation is done in the context of work, and may overlap family history.  SOT mentoring is not traditional therapy; however, it is a therapeutic experience.  Appropriate referral for deeper therapy work is always an important consideration for the therapist and consultant, and should be discussed openly and candidly throughout the process. 
 
Reading Reflection:  What thoughts and feelings are evoked as you read this segment?  Please feel free to comment, or write in your private journal.
 
Next Up ~ Phase 1 - Awareness and Acceptance of Self - key elements, an exercise for self exploration (Part 1 of 2 blogs for phase 1)