The Therapeutic Use of Self by Mental Health Nurses: An Evolving Practice

The therapeutic use of self, first articulated by Peplau in the 1950s, remains fundamental to mental health nursing practice, yet continues to be interpreted in diverse ways. This paper reports findings of a qualitative descriptive study, situated within a constructivist paradigm, exploring how experienced Australian mental health nurses understand and apply the therapeutic use of self in contemporary recovery-oriented contexts. Eleven mental health nurses participated in semi-structured interviews, with data analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three interrelated themes were developed: 'Diverse conceptualisations of the therapeutic use of self'; 'The prominence of self-disclosure'; and 'The nurse as a therapeutic instrument'. Participants described the therapeutic use of self as an intentional and reflective use of the professional self to foster connection, presence and trust. While the value of self-awareness and relational authenticity was acknowledged, self-disclosure emerged as a significant, ethically bounded strategy within a broader reflective orientation. By recognising the diverse conceptualisations of the therapeutic use of self, this study offers a more integrative formulation of the practice as relational, contextual and also experiential, with the prominence of self-disclosure reflecting evolving socio-cultural and recovery-oriented frameworks. Such recognition strengthens shared professional language, education and critical reflection in mental health nursing practice.