Configurations of Self
The term Configurations of Self was originally coined by British counsellor and educator David Mearns (1999: 126).
Mearns describes it as:
‘a number of elements which form a coherent pattern generally reflective of a dimension of existence within the Self’.
The theory is also sometimes known as ‘the dialogical self’.
While the concept of configurations of self is a development in the person-centred approach to counselling, it has similarities with concepts from other modalities:
‘This development of the self theory of PCP [person-centred psychology] has conceptual similarities with object relations theory, to “sub-personalities” … and to ego state theory of transactional analysis.’ (Tudor and Merry, 2006: 128)
A Quick Overview
Configurations of Self is considered a recent development in Person Centred Therapy.
It develops on Carl Rogers' view of personality being a single organismic whole (like a circle). Concluding within the sphere of our character, we have different parts of self that we access in certain situations.
Try this experiment:
- Draw a circle on a piece of paper.
- Think back over the last 24 hours.
- How many people have you been? The sad self, the happy self, the child self?
- Draw those parts in the circle - They are your configurations of self!
History of the Self in Person-Centred Theory
Carl Rogers saw the concept of self or "self-concept" as a single configuration of perceptions: ‘The self-structure is an organized configuration of perceptions of the self which are admissible to awareness’ (Rogers, 1951: 501, emphasis added).
Cooper (1999: 58), on the other hand, suggested that ‘the individual may have the possibility of accessing – and switching between – a plurality of qualitatively distinct self-concepts’.
Mearns and Thorne (2000: 102) developed this idea, suggesting that each person has multiple configurations of self, made up of ‘elements which form a coherent pattern generally reflective of a dimension of existence within the Self’.
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Configurations of Self
Configurations of Self in Counselling
The idea behind configurations of self is that we develop various alternative personalities that appear in certain circumstances. Each configuration has its own desires, needs, style and view of the world.
During the course of a normal day, we may draw on various configurations of self. Tolan (2003: 74) writes: ‘They might be named by a client as “the strong, coping me” or “my scared little girl part”, or even given a name as in “Bully Brian” or “Whining Mary”.’
Many writers have referred to Rogers’ idea of conditional positive regard: that a client may limit their own self-acceptance because of fear, shame, regret, embarrassment, anger, or a sense of loss about themselves or others.
These negative emotions, or constructs, are sometimes referred to as ‘not-for-growth configurations’. In other words, the negative side of the personality – the emotional inner voices that bring psychological pain – may hamper both happiness and self-understanding.
By exploring and examining these not-for-growth configurations in a safe, non-threatening and non-judgmental environment, the client can process their feelings, thoughts and behaviours – and so begin the process of checking the reality and impact of these on their lives.
It is not our job as person-centred counsellors to analyse the client’s configurations of self; rather, we can support the client by offering the core conditions as they choose to explore parts of themselves of which they may feel ashamed.
A not-for-growth configuration can act as a massive ball-and-chain, dragging the client down in their life; counselling can support them to look at this and set themselves free.
It is not our job as person-centred counsellors to analyse the client’s configurations of self; rather, we can support the client by offering the core conditions as they choose to explore parts of themselves of which they may feel ashamed.
Example
Haugh (2012: 22) describes a client, Angela, who was experiencing very bad dreams about a Caesarean section.
While other people expected her to ‘look on the bright side’ in that the birth resulted in a healthy baby, Angela herself was troubled by the loss of a natural delivery.
Haugh writes: ‘Angela … had an internal critic, Mrs Cynic … She would sometimes speak of Mrs Cynic being present at a session. “Mrs Cynic thinks I’m making mountains out of molehills – life isn’t actually that bad.”’
Haugh (2012: 22–23) goes on to describe how, as the therapeutic relationship developed, ‘this configuration started to lose its power over her’: Angela ‘began to notice that in another part of her thought she was a very hurt and vulnerable person … Through counselling Angela came to accept both parts of her.’ Over time, the frequency of her dreams reduced significantly.
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Configurations of Self
References
Cooper M (1999) ‘If you can’t be Jekyll be Hyde: an existential-phenomenological exploration of lived-plurality’, in Rowan J and Cooper M (eds), The Plural Self, Sage
Haugh S (2012) ‘A Person-Centred Approach to Loss and Bereavement’ in Tolan J and Wilkins P (eds) Client Issues in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Sage
Mearns D (1999) ‘Person-centred therapy with configurations of the self’, Counselling 10(2): 125–30
Mearns D and Thorne B (2000) Person-Centred Therapy Today: New Frontiers in Theory and Practice, Sage
Rogers C (1951) Client-Centered Therapy, Constable
Tolan J (2003) Skills in Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy, Sage
Tudor K and Merry T (2006) Dictionary of Person-Centred Psychology, PCCS Books
Page updated April 2019