ABSTRACT
This chapter explains self-awareness and the effective use of self are prerequisites to sound reflective practice. Theorists in psychology and mental health have long acknowledged that many people are not equipped with sound self-awareness in life. Wilde and Garvin argues that improved self-care is also the companion of self-awareness as self-aware people are more skilled in monitoring their own health and wellbeing. Jack and Miller argue that there are three forms of self-awareness: Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioural. It is clear from Jack and Miller's typology that while self-awareness, mindfulness and reflexivity are explained separately they are actually interrelated with empathy and compassion under the emotional intelligence. However, compassion and empathy require sensitivity to the feelings of another person and it is not possible to understand the feelings of another person without first understanding those feelings in ourselves. Conversely, empathy increases self-awareness because we are increasingly mindful of our own behaviour.
