Self-Compassion and Social Media in Rehabilitation Counseling

Introduction

Stuntzner's (2014) study on the concept of self-compassion as a component in rehabilitation counseling and the study by Hartley, Johnston, and Tarvydas (2015), which focuses on the use of social media advocacy in rehabilitation counseling, both examine ways that rehabilitation counseling can be improved through the implementation of different variables. This paper critiques and compares the two studies and shows how their findings can be used to help rehabilitation counselors advance their profession in the field.

Stuntzner (2014): Self-Compassion in Rehabilitation Counseling

Stuntzner's (2014) article is based on a literature review of the concept of self-compassion as a construct, with the aim of determining how this idea might be applied to rehabilitation counseling to help reduce "negative thoughts, feelings, and outcomes while also promoting positive ones" (p. 37). Stuntzner's findings indicate that self-compassion is a concept that can be more clearly defined and utilized by counselors to assist in the healing of persons with disabilities.

Hartley, Johnston, and Tarvydas (2015): Social Media Advocacy

Hartley, Johnston, and Tarvydas (2015) approach the issue of how rehabilitation counselors can better improve the lives of patients by examining the role of social media advocacy in counseling. Their study provides a literature review of relevant research on social media usage as a way to reduce feelings of marginalization, as well as ethical and practical issues related to the use of social media by counselors promoting self-advocacy.

The study provides recommendations based on the findings of the literature review and suggests that social media can be an effective tool in rehabilitation counseling because it enables counselors to reach out to patients who may feel marginalized or isolated because of their disability. It also helps draw clients into connectivity both with the counselor and with others who may share the social media network.

Comparative Analysis of Both Studies

These studies are similar in that both conduct literature reviews of relevant data as the basis of their research. The studies thus present Level V types of evidence, which are helpful in giving researchers a fuller understanding of the issues at hand. In both cases, the articles focus on how rehabilitation counseling can be improved through the utilization of either a concept or a tool.

The concept found to be effective is that of self-compassion — the promotion of the patient's sense of well-being for oneself — which enables rehabilitation counselors to guide patients toward more positive thinking. This shift can have beneficial impacts on the body, the restoration of health, and the daily activities of the individual. The tool found to be effective in the study by Hartley, Johnston, and Tarvydas (2015) is social media, which enables rehabilitation counselors to engage more frequently and more positively with clients and to build supportive relationships. Both articles emphasize the importance of building positivity in patients' lives, as the challenges associated with disability can be a significant source of negativity that must be addressed. The Journal of Rehabilitation and related publications have increasingly highlighted such person-centered approaches as essential to quality counseling practice.