Thinking from experience in psychosocial practice: reclaiming and teaching ‘use of self’

Abstract

A course based on psychosocial theory and students' experiences in practice has been taught in the UK, Norway and Quebec. It departs from the classical social work concept ‘use of self’ and aims to help novices in health and social work to understand how the social world is internalised and re-produced and the value of thinking from experience. International developments such as, competency-based education, New Public Management and evidence-based practice reduce opportunities for experiential learning. This trend has been exacerbated by a focus on anti-oppressive practice without a corresponding understanding of how oppressive relations are internalized and enacted by defended and conflicted subjects. Attempts to rectify a relational deficit through traditions of reflective practice and critical reflection are important developments, but could be further strengthened by psychosocial and psychodynamic perspectives. The course combines critical, contextual and relational thinking for students in caring professions.

Keywords::

• learning from experience
• relational
• psychodynamic
• psychosocial
• critical

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Erratum

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements are due to everyone in the UK, Norway and Quebec who has taught on and improved this course. Also to the students without whose engagement, patience and critical feedback it would have been the poorer. In the UK, it owes special thanks to Pat Cox, Helen Spandler, Amanda Taylor, Simon John Rogerson, Julian Manley, Robert Little, Alan Farrier and Konstantina Poursanidou; in Montreal to Marion Van Horn and in Norway to Grete Tangen Andersen.

Notes

^1. Website of the Ordreprofessionnel des travailleurssociaux du Quebec. Http://www.optsq.org

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lynn Froggett

Lynn Froggett is Professor of Psychosocial Welfare and Director of the Psychosocial Research Unit in the School of Social Work, University of Central Lancashire. She is also Research Professor at the Department of Health Studies, University of Stavanger, Norway. Address: University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR12HE, UK. [e-mail: [email protected]]

Ellen Ramvi

Ellen Ramvi is Associated Professor at the Department of Health Studies, University of Stavanger. Address: University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway. [e-mail: [email protected]]

Linda Davies

Linda Davies is Full Professor in the School of Social Work, McGill University. Address: McGill University, 3506 University, Montreal, H3A 2A7, Canada. [e-mail: [email protected]]