The attainment of self-knowledge represents a huge step along the road towards complete mental and emotional health. Therefore mental health professionals constantly search for a reliable method of analysis, one that insures the development of a client's self-knowledge. That search has led some health professionals to make use of self perception theory. They use their meetings with a client as a time to outline the basic aspects of the self perception theory-the basic steps that are called for in the important quest for increased self-knowledge.

Step one in the effort to augment the use of self perception theory requires the development of a sense of meaning, an affirmation of life. This sense of meaning typically begins with it a willingness on the part of an individual to express his or her feelings and perceptions. It helps an individual to avoid the dangers of harboring pent-up emotions.

Sometimes clients find it helpful to pursue this first step in a group setting, a setting outside of the office walls of the health professional. The programs of the international Ruhi Institute, programs that use materials from Palabra publications, offer an excellent guide to any individual eager to learn and discuss more about the meaning of life. Attendance of Ruhi courses might be considered by any individual who plans to focus his or her efforts on the practicing of the self perception theory.

Step two in the exercising of that same effort stipulates the need for a readiness to face any problem. Individuals who hope to use the self perception theory are asked to avoid brooding. Thoughts should concentrate instead on potential actions and possible solutions and not on attention to one or more perceived dilemmas.

Step three of the journey mapped-out by proponents of the self perception theory needs to be a confident but measured step.  Adherents of the self perception theory underline the importance of action, regardless of the ability of that action to affect a major change. Any action demonstrates an ability to cope with a problem. Confronting a problem demands that one come face to face the ability of oneself to deal with that problem. Self analysis helps to push an individual in the direction of greater self-knowledge.

Step four along the path toward self-knowledge, the path laid-out by the self perception theory, highlights the need for every individual to become involved with others. Health professionals who ascribe to the self perception theory tell their clients, "Reach out and communicate your feelings and perceptions to others." A healthy self-knowledge emerges once an individual admits that the self is not the center of the universe. If practiced correctly, self perception theory should cultivate in an individual a  concern for the feelings and perceptions of others.

The individual who adheres to the four steps called-for in the self perception theory will attain a condition of true self-knowledge. Such an individual will achieve a state of mental and emotional health.