Reflection on Use of Self in Social Work Practice

Ahmad Wali Sarhadi

Walden University

Program: Master of Social Work

SOCW-6500: SW Field Education I-Spring 2025

Instructor: Dr Jocelyn Warren

May 3, 2025
 Reflection on Use of Self in Social Work Practice

Introduction

The use of self in social work involves consciously integrating personal

attributes, such as cultural identity, belief systems, emotional experiences,

and personality traits, with professional knowledge, ethics, and skills

(Dewane, 2006). This dynamic interplay supports authentic client

engagement, fosters empathy, and reinforces ethical decision-making. As an

intern of a Master of Social Work (MSW) student at Your Best Health

Organization, I have experienced the complexities and growth opportunities

in applying this concept within a healthcare setting. This reflection examines

my strategies for critical self-review, analyzes how I apply self in fieldwork,

and explores boundary challenges that require ethical vigilance and self-

awareness.

Critical Self-Review Strategies

Critical self-review is a core competency in social work that ensures

the integration of personal insight with professional conduct (Garthwait,

2021). It helps prevent unexamined biases and emotional reactions from

compromising the quality of care. I employ several complementary

strategies to ensure my professional self is intentional, ethical, and client-

centered.
 First, I use structured reflective journaling after client interactions.

Using Meditrek (2021), I document events and my emotional responses,

internal dialogues, and value conflicts. For instance, when supporting a

grieving client, I noticed a strong emotional resonance tied to my own

experiences of loss. Reflecting on this allowed me to distinguish personal

emotion from professional responsibility. This practice aligns with Heron’s

(2005) view that self-reflection must engage with underlying power

dynamics and assumptions to be transformative.

Second, clinical supervision is a vital component of my self-review

process. I bring emotionally charged cases to supervision and invite

feedback on how my responses may be shaped by personal history or

cultural norms. During one session, my supervisor helped me identify a

subtle pattern of overfunctioning with resistant clients—a behavior linked to

my internalized belief that success means solving problems. As Bogo (2015)

suggests, supervision clarifies practice and supports identity formation

through collaborative reflection.

Third, I participate in peer consultation groups. These sessions

encourage collaborative problem-solving through shared storytelling and

reflective questioning (Fook & Gardner, 2007). For example, when I struggled

with uncertainty around disclosing limited healthcare knowledge to a client,

my peers helped normalize the discomfort and offered strategies for honest,

yet professional, transparency.

stress environments. Deep breathing and grounding techniques before

sessions increase my present-moment awareness and help me manage

triggers such as client anger or trauma disclosures. Crowder and Sears

(2017) demonstrate that mindfulness strengthens a social worker’s capacity

to remain reflective rather than reactive—a skill I find especially crucial in

clinical settings.

These integrated strategies ensure that my professional self remains

grounded, adaptable, and continually aligned with social work values of

service, integrity, and competence (National Association of Social Workers

[NASW], 2021).

Use of Self in Field Education Experience

Field education is the primary site for integrating the personal and

professional self. Within Your Best Health Organization, I have consciously

developed my use of self across Dewane’s (2006) typology of instrumental,

authentic, and reflective use.

As an example of instrumental self, I employed motivational

interviewing during an intake with a client newly diagnosed with diabetes. I

adjusted my pacing to match the client’s slow, hesitant responses,

demonstrating attunement and cultural humility. This skill-based adaptability

consciously applied purposefully.

A clear case of authentic self emerged during a group session with

immigrant clients. A participant expressed fear about navigating the U.S.

healthcare system. I shared a brief, relevant detail about my adjustment

challenges as an immigrant graduate student. This disclosure was purposeful

—it fostered trust without shifting focus to myself. Ebere (2016) emphasizes

that self-disclosure can deepen therapeutic connection if used sparingly and

ethically.

The reflective self emerges when values, biases, or emotional

reactions are examined in the moment. For instance, I worked with an older

adult client who refused home health services despite evident medical risk.

My internal urgency stemmed from an ageist assumption that he was

incapable of decision-making. After journaling and supervision, I realigned

with the value of client self-determination and supported him in making an

informed choice. This illustrates how critical reflection integrates personal

values without overshadowing ethical responsibility (Reupert, 2007).

These examples demonstrate the ethical and practical application of

self-awareness, empathy, and intentionality in client relationships and

interdisciplinary collaboration.

Boundary Challenges in Field Education

client safety and practitioner well-being. In fieldwork, boundary issues can be

subtle and complex, particularly in healthcare contexts where clients are

vulnerable and contact may occur outside traditional therapy spaces.

One potential challenge involves over-identification with clients. I

worked with a patient who had experienced political violence, which

reminded me of my family's migration story. Without awareness, my

empathy could have slipped into countertransference. Instead, I applied

mindfulness and brought the case to supervision, which helped me maintain

“reflective distance” (Cooper et al., 2019).

Another challenge is managing dual relationships in community-based

care. One new client turned out to be a distant family acquaintance.

Following Garthwait (2021), I consulted my supervisor, and we reassigned

the case to avoid ethical conflict. This proactive approach preserved both

confidentiality and professional integrity.

Lastly, digital boundary issues are increasingly relevant. Clients

sometimes message through the patient portal outside of hours. While

accessibility is important, responding informally can blur therapeutic

boundaries. Reamer (2023) emphasizes the need for clear communication

protocols in digital practice. I now establish expectations in the first session

and use “Do Not Disturb” settings during off-hours.

self-monitoring, ethical consultation, and professional judgment to maintain

appropriate roles.

Conclusion

Engaging in critical self-review, consciously applying the use of self,

and managing boundaries are interwoven practices essential to ethical social

work. My field experience at Your Best Health Organization has underscored

the importance of integrating personal authenticity with professional

responsibility. Through journaling, supervision, mindfulness, and reflection, I

continue to develop a self-aware and ethical practice. These efforts form the

foundation of a social work identity rooted in empathy, accountability, and a

commitment to client-centered care.

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