Rescuing the Self from Selflessness How We Can Be Better at Helping Others by Helping Ourselves

Abstract

This article examines the risks faced by helping professionals, such as clinical social workers, due to their tendency to be more attentive to clients than to their own needs. It is suggested that clinicians can improve job engagement and minimize burnout risk through increased self-awareness and self-care. Using an approach based on Giddens’ (1984) structuration theory, the authors provide specific suggestions for self-awareness and self-care, including the concept that workers should improve and exercise their self-advocacy skills as a form of self-care.