The self: Principal Tool of the Correctional Prefessional

The picture we have of ourselves (both you and the client)

Self-concept

Where does the ‘tool of correctional helper’ it come from? 

• Derives from good experiences, bad experiences & hard work

- Confirms self-perceptions derived from unhappy and happy experiences

Under self concept, the capacity is to..

–To give and receive love

– To consider oneself worthwhile

– To be confident

– To behave responsibily

“Know thyself” comes from

Ancient Greek Maxim

Knowing thyself implies:

•An honest self-appraisal of all your strengths and weaknesses.

•Your intention to address your weaknesses and build your strengths.

Self-concept includes 2 motives

1.  Thinking well of ourselves

        (positive self-esteem)

2.  Protecting yourself from change

    (self-consistency motive)

The definition of Self Esteem

Definition: Thinking well of the self 

What sort of people have low self-esteem?

  Acceptors put themselves down

  Deniers put others down

The Desire for Self-Approval

•Thinking of oneself as worthy

•The dominant force in a person’s motivational system

The Self-Consistency Motive

•Must be challenged before we can change.  Have you ever resisted change?

Must be challenged before we can build self-esteem in people with negative self-concept

Your Goal as a Skilled Practitioner is to..

•Melding your professional self with your personal self.

•Your professional self: what you know  (training, knowledge and techniques)

•Your personal self: who you are (personality traits, belief systems, life experience)

Johari Window as Applied to You

•Public self - shared with others

•Private self - don’t burden others in your professional setting

•Blind self - what others see but we don’t

•Unknown self - unconscious self - source of great potential

Johari Window As Applied to Offender

•The public offender

•The private offender

•The blind offender

•The unknown offender

The official and public client

Public Offender

They wish to keep this part unscrutinized by others, especially you!

Private Offender

Aspects of themselves they are unaware of but you see! Help them first see + things!

The Blind Offender

Unknown to themselves and to you. Look for unknown potential!

The Unknown Offender