ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to highlight the way in which ref lective practice is at the
heart of a therapeutic use of self. This chapter is divided into four sections. Section 1
provides a discussion of the generic concept of ref lective practice and its importance
in mental health practice. It will introduce you to ref lective practice exercises and to
their limitations. Section 2 provides a discussion of some basic tenets in humanistic
psychology and offers exercises and examples of ref lective and therapeutic practice in
action. Section 3 provides an overview of major concepts in psychodynamic
psychology and includes exercises which will enable you to increase your
understanding of what a therapeutic use of self refers to within this approach. Section
4 offers you an understanding of some of the basic ref lective tools that are commonly
used in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Given the ubiquity of CBT, it is assumed
that you might be more familiar with this philosophy and technique and only a broad
overview is given.
