Possible Selves: Implications for Psychotherapy

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the therapeutic applications of theories and research concerning self-regulation issues. The key concept here is possible selves, defined as an element of self-knowledge that refers to what a person perceives as potentially possible. The main idea of using knowledge about possible selves in psychotherapy is based on their functions as standards in self-regulatory processes. The problem of the changeability of possible selves and self-standards is analyzed in the context of their role in behavior change. The paper also presents the assumptions of Self-System Therapy – a newly developed cognitive therapy for depression, drawing directly on self-regulation theory and research.

Narrative Identity Reconstruction as Adaptive Growth During Mental Health Recovery: A Narrative Coaching Boardgame Approach

“…Agentic narrative identity is aligned with the notion of possible selves, a useful approach in recovery where the individual explores alternative future identities and outcomes in life (Markus and Nurius, 1986; Slade, 2009). Desired possible selves (Tse and Zhu, 2013; Bak, 2015) and desired future narratives (MacLeod and Conway, 2007; Sools et al, 2015) are linked to better outcomes in mental health. The possible self is an imaginary conception of the individual’s future self that encompasses cognitive representations of the person’s hopes, fears, and fantasies (Hoyle and Sherrill, 2006; Erikson, 2007; Slade, 2009).…”

Los posibles sí mismos en la adolescencia: diferencias en función del género

“…En el ámbito educativo y comunitario, el trabajo con los adolescentes en el desarrollo de sus PSs y de estrategias para lograrlos ha demostrado promover un mayor sentido de pertenencia en la escuela y ISSN (Impreso): 1729-4827 ISSN (Digital): 2223-7666 Liberabit, 2019, 25(1), 7-24 (enero -junio) preocupación por tener un buen desempeño académico, disminución de los problemas de conducta en la escuela, tener mayor asistencia, mayor participación en clase y tiempo dedicado a las tareas escolares; asimismo, disminuyó el riesgo de depresión (Oyserman, Bybee, & Terry, 2006;Oyserman, Terry, & Bybee, 2002). En el ámbito clínico, la exploración de PSs promueve la motivación para el cambio y el logro de los objetivos terapéuticas (Bak, 2015).…”

A Way of Being: Integration of Possible Selves Into Solution-Focused Therapy

“…Once smaller goals are obtained, clients feel empowered in setting and reaching further goals, so that eventually bigger changes occur. Similarly, to reach PS, therapists stress that goals must be broken down into smaller steps with strategies to reach them, providing the client with more control and sense of possibility (Bak, 2015). As clients actualize one possible self, they increase in their self-efficacy, making other PS more likely to be realized.…”