What role does 'self' play in experiential Child and Youth Care practice?

In experiential Child and Youth Care practice, the concept of 'self' plays a vital role as a vehicle for growth and development. This perspective emphasizes the importance of the practitioner's personal experiences, values, and emotional responses in their engagement with children and youth. When practitioners are aware of their own 'self,' they can better understand and relate to the individuals they are working with, fostering genuine connections and trust. This authentic relationship can lead to more effective interventions, as it allows the practitioner to empathize and respond appropriately to the emotional and social needs of the young people in their care.

Moreover, by integrating 'self' into their practice, professionals can encourage self-reflection and personal growth in both themselves and the youth they support. This mutual development can lead to transformative experiences that significantly benefit the children's emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Recognizing and embracing one’s own identity in the context of care allows for a more holistic and nuanced approach to working with youth.

In contrast, other responses suggest that 'self' acts as a barrier or is irrelevant, which undermines the importance of the interpersonal dynamics in CYC work. Suppressing one's 'self' in favor of rigid formal methods disregards the nuanced understanding needed for effective practice, which often relies on