Therapeutic Use of Self in Psychiatric Nursing
A 12-page paper discussing the therapeutic use of self and self-disclosure in the psychiatric setting. Formal training provides the technical knowledge needed to provide competent care in the psychiatric setting, but formal training also can be seen as only the beginning point of building competence. Experience and reflection on that experience are critical factors. It seems that therapeutic use of self and self-disclosure are outgrowths of this experience and reflection. The two issues are interconnected, but they also can be separate. Some still believe that self-disclosure constitutes breach of professional behavior, but there is a growing awareness that the therapeutic use of self and self-disclosure can be quite beneficial not only for the patient, but also for the nurse. Bibliography lists 16 sources.
