The integrated use of self

: becoming an enlightened knower for values-based social work

Abstract

In exploring the use of self in social work and the constituent states of self-awareness and self-knowledge, I introduce the concept of ‘self as a knower’ as the final part of a developmental pathway towards becoming an enlightened knower for values-based social work; something facilitated by the integrated use of self in practice. Brought into being and informed by one’s experiences of integration (feeling authentic) and dissonance (feeling inauthentic), the integrated use of self is seen as integral to ethical practice. Representing a significant contribution to social work knowledge my thesis, comprised of nine publications, undertakes a unique analysis of the use of self which asserts that it is the social worker’s developed self-knowledge, as informed by emotions pertaining to (in)authenticity, which enables them to recognise their own influence on what is – and how it is – known. My summative argument is that armed with these ontological and epistemological insights social workers are then better placed to realise values-based practice.

Date of Award	Feb 2026
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Brighton
Supervisor	Catherine Theodosius (Supervisor) & Kelly Alexander (Supervisor)