Reflective practice and reflexivity for developing practitioner wellbeing

Abstract

Bearing witness to persons’ suffering, as well as dealing with high and complex caseloads and organisational pressures may lead to compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and professional burnout (McGarrigle and Walsh, 2011). It is therefore necessary that helping professionals have a way of processing the emotions and thoughts that arise in their work. Self-awareness and self-knowledge may be considered essential to self-care, developing resilience and to the ‘proper use of self’. This includes reflexivity and reflective practice. Bolton and Delderfield (2018) describe reflective practice as “a state of mind, an ongoing attitude to life and work, the pearl grit in the oyster of practice and education” (p.1). They warn against it being considered simply a “separate curriculum element with a set of exercises” (p.1). This chapter explores the importance of self-reflection and reflexivity for the wellbeing and development of students preparing to enter a caring profession, with particular reference to the social work profession. It also discusses their importance in relation to the wellbeing of helping professionals. The chapter draws on relevant literature as well as on our own practice with students and professionals working in the field. It describes the use of various tools, which we have found useful and effective in the personal and professional development of our students, such as reflective journaling.