These methods are used when a "normal" thread (rather than threads performing actors) is talking to the actor. Since there is no corresponding actor sending a message to another actor, a proxy actor instance is created for the stream. You should use the clearSelf method when a thread has been living and communicating periodically with actors, especially threads from a thread pool. This method clears the proxy actor created for the thread to talk with other participants, so it should be called at the end of the dialogue with the actor. resetProxy is useful when you suspect that the proxy actor has died during the conversation and plans to try again.