What is "Self of the Therapist"?

Many renowned therapists have referenced the value of therapists exploring their inner self in the context of our work: 

“To attain greater mastery of self, therapists need to know themselves, have access to their memories, emotions, and values, and gain in the ability to selectively and actively draw from past and present experiences in relating, assessing and intervening with clients.” Dr. Harry J. Aponte, www.harryjaponte.com

“Can we accept as a given that the self of the therapist is an essential factor in the therapeutic process? If this turns out to be true, it will alter our way of teaching therapists as well as treating patients.” ~ Virginia Satir, The Use of Self in Therapy (1987)

“Presence, attunement and resonance within our self will lead to greater presence, attunement and resonance with our clients.” ~ Daniel Siegel, The Mindful Therapist (2010)

“The most important tool is the therapist’s use of self in guiding the process of change.”  Salvador Minuchin, The Craft of Family Therapy: Challenging Certainties (2013)

Also referred to as Use of Self of Therapist, Person of the Therapist, or countertransference, what is being referred to is the natural process within the therapist that occurs in the context of our work.   Historically, this has been seen as a problematic experience within the therapist, blocking their ability to attune and work with a client.  “Countertransference” seems to have a negative connotation that warrants a therapist doing their own deep intra-psychic work, which definitely has merit.  However, I will suggest, along with these leaders, that Self of the Therapist work is so much more, and is an invaluable and essential exploration that will reap great benefit to our work with clients. The icing on the cake is that we, ourselves, benefit with greater understanding and access to our inner self, as well as potential healing of our own wounds.

Prior to delving in to describe further, as noted, my work around Self of the Therapist has been informed by many very renowned practitioners. In addition to the above leaders, I have explored and studied the works of Buddhist Psychotherapists, Tara Brach and Jack Kornfeld, spiritual leader, Joyce Meyer, and shame researcher, Brené Brown.  These resources, in addition to my EFT and EMDR training with many colleagues, supervisors, and clients, have helped me develop and refine a framework for self of therapist mentoring. I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to my journey in some way.

Future blogs will bring this framework to life, however, first, we will explore the foundations of SOT more thoroughly.  In my next posts, I will provide the foundational aspects, as well as the barriers and obstacles, boundary issues, and clarity needed to insure a meaningful and safe exploration of your self in the context of your work.