As therapists, one of the fundamental goals we aim for is initiating and facilitating growth in our clients. A crucial aspect of growth is encouraging the development of a healthy sense of self. So, what is a self-concept? Self-concept can be described as one's perception of themselves, their abilities, and their worth in society. It's a critical component of mental health that many clients struggle with. For this reason, understanding how limiting beliefs can contradict self-concept and learning to challenge these beliefs is critical in helping clients build a strong self concept.
Defining Self Concept
The first step in this journey is helping clients understand what the term 'self-concept' encompasses. We can explain this as an individual's perception of themselves, formed through experiences, interactions, and internal reflections. It includes an understanding of one's own attributes, abilities, and personal values as well as their perceived value in society. It is more than just self-awareness; it involves recognizing the self in relation to the context in which they live (their family, community, culture, religion, etc). This extends to understanding personal strengths and weaknesses, accepting these attributes, and focusing on growth and self-improvement. By understanding their self-concept, clients can begin to identify where their limiting beliefs lie and how these may be impacting their overall sense of self.
Identify Limiting Beliefs
Helping clients identify the limiting beliefs that are holding them back is helpful. These beliefs can be a result of trauma, societal norms, or negative experiences. Challenging those beliefs can help clients reframe their perspective of themselves positively. Clients often have difficulty recognizing the limiting beliefs they hold, and thus, therapists need to create a safe space where clients can reflect and express themselves genuinely and without judgment.
Connecting How Limiting Beliefs Impact Behavior
Therapists should also aim to help clients recognize how their beliefs affect their actions, and ultimately, their self-concept. Once they understand this connection, a therapist can then help them develop alternative positive beliefs that align with their values, and ultimately, improve their sense of self. This rewiring process can also involve addressing deep-seated insecurities or other challenges clients may face that can hinder their growth.
Developing Insight
Another effective approach to help clients explore and develop their self-concept is by facilitating exploration of the client's internal world. Exploratory questions, insight oriented enquiry, opportunity for self reflection and even mindfulness can help clients focus on their thoughts, feelings and behaviors without judgment. And, it has the added benefit of furthering the development of their self-concept. By developing the ability to observe and reflect on their thoughts, clients can better understand how themselves, their beliefs and improve their self concept.
It is a Work in Progress
It's also helpful to emphasize that developing a strong sense of self is an ongoing process. Taking one action or achieving one goal doesn't mean that a client will have a positive self-concept forever. Indeed, a healthy self concept comes with the awareness that adaptation and flexibility may be required at certain transitional times in life. Beginning with an understanding of what typically tends to be a struggle for a client is helpful, so that self care and compassion can be deployed when these internal struggles are activated by external pressures.
Helping clients develop a strong sense of self is not a one-solution-fits-all approach. It involves recognizing the limiting beliefs that hold them back, challenging them, exploring their thoughts through self reflection and continually being alert to when internal struggles are activated. Through this process, clients can build a healthy self-concept and ultimately experience personal growth. As therapists, we play an essential role in guiding our clients on this journey towards self-discovery and development. Let's continue to strive towards creating a safe and supportive space for our clients to explore and develop their sense of self.