The therapeutic use of self: developing three capacities for a more mindful practice.

The relational aspect of care is as essential to the overall patient experience as the technical aspects of care. The relational aspect of care hinges on how the caregiver uses his or her self as an instrument of care. For caregivers to fully engage in the art of healing, they must be mindful of the self they are bringing to every encounter. This mindfulness can be strengthened through the thoughtful pursuit of self-attunement, self-clarity, and self-compassion.