Acknowledgements; Preface; Introduction
Part 1: Introducing reflective practice
1. Reflecting on reflection: Theories and perspectives on
Reflective Practice
2. How to reflect: The reflective practitioner’s toolkit
Part 2: Reflecting on the work in frontline
services
3. Working with people’s stories: The role of narrative in
frontline practice
4. Shaping people’s lives part one: Attachment and family
Influences
5. Shaping people’s lives part two: Cross-generational influences
and migration
Extended example 1: Narrative and forces shaping people’s lives
6. Inside and outside working relationships: Boundaries in
frontline practice
7. Getting to the heart of the matter: Helping people change
8. Reflecting on what is really important: Ethics and values in
frontline practice
Extended example 2: Working with boundaries and change
Part 3: Reflecting on emotion in frontline
services
9. Absorbing distress: Emotional Containment in frontline
practice
10. When strong feelings matter: Transference and
countertransference in frontline practice
Extended example 3: Working with containment and transference
Part 4: Reflecting on staff support in frontline
services
11. All for one and one for all: Building supportive teams
12. Making sense of tangles, twists, and turns: Effective case
supervision in frontline practice
13. When the going gets tough: Stress and burnout in frontline
services
Extended example 4: Stress and team support
Reflecting in practice: a final word
References
Index
Natius Oelofsen is a consultant clinical psychologist trained in South Africa and the UK. He has worked in the UK’s NHS for 18 years in a variety of settings, including children’s services, adult mental health and learning disabilities. Currently, he is in full time private practice, specialising in mental health and neurodiversity across the life span. He runs the Psychology Consultancy (https://helpwithmentalhealth.net) which is a specialist provider of psychological help, consultancy and training to individuals, teams, and organisations in the public and private sectors.
Very useful and interesting methods.
‘I bought this book due to being a Support Worker working with
young adults with severe autism and as I am working my way towards
a career in Psychology where you need to be able to reflect on your
practice, so I thought if I start building the skills now, it will
enable me to use them in the future. I really enjoyed this book, it
has a lot of good examples of how to reflect on different
situations and scenarios. I found it very useful and started
writing a reflective learning/career journal as a result of reading
this book. I think it is a really good read for anyone working in
care or a medical profession as it really helps you to reflect on
your working practices and experiences.’
Amazon reviewer
‘This is a really valuable companion handbook whether you are a
stressed manager who has drifted away from psychological
mindedness, a line manager looking for inspiration to motivate
staff during tough times, a ‘stuck’ social work practitioner, a
student wrestling with daunting theoretical concepts, or a practice
educator seeking to refresh their approach to developing reflection
in others. It is an excellent introduction for staff who are
starting out their exploration of reflective practice.’
Journal of Social Work
‘Reflection is one of those things that many of us older health and
social care practitioners are wont to claim we are already doing.
But we all need to reflect, learn from past actions and develop our
knowledge, skills and understanding in ways that can take us
forward. In this book the clinical psychologist Natius Oelofsen
describes the processes of learning and the three-step reflective
cycle, explaining how keeping a reflective journal offers insights
into self and behaviour, and using critical analysis to reflect on
even ordinary, everyday incidents.
He shows how the insights of understanding help our interactions
with patients and colleagues. Reflection helps us to work together,
offer support and see where we are able to fit in as team members.
The chapter ‘All for one and one for all: building supportive
teams’ is particularly illuminating.
There is so much in this book, including getting the most from
supervision, ethical issues and dealing with work-based stress, as
well as exercises, activities and case examples.’
Nursing Standard
‘Developing Reflective Practice is a thorough and concise book
enabling students, qualified nurses and any other health
professional to become confident reflective practitioners within
their own field.
I found this book to be an informative tool for students due to the
layout, which includes reflective activities throughout each
chapter. This enables the reader to challenge ideas and address
them in practice scenarios.
I felt overall this book was a well-written and educational tool
particularly for a nursing student and even a social work student.
As a student reflection is a key element within nursing studies, I
feel this book would most certainly assist a nursing student within
this key area.’
Nursing Times
This book serves as a ‘how to’ guidance for those looking to better
enable self-discovery and self-improvement. Oelofsen weaves
together theoretical concepts, real-life anecdotes, and practical
exercises, making the book accessible to individuals from various
backgrounds. The central theme revolves around the significance of
reflective practice as a tool for personal and professional growth.
At the core of Oelofsen’s work lies the belief that introspection
empowers individuals to become conscious of their actions,
reactions, and decision-making processes. By reflecting on
experiences and emotions, we gain deeper insights into our
behaviour and motivations. This newfound awareness then paves the
way for positive change and continuous improvement in our lives.
The book demonstrates how reflective practice can elevate the
quality of work and enrich our interactions with others. It does
this through compelling case studies, Oelofsen illustrates the
tangible benefits of incorporating reflection into our daily lives,
so it is very useful on a practical level.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is Oelofsen’s candid
approach to addressing challenges that arise during the reflective
process. He acknowledges that introspection can be uncomfortable,
leading us to confront our shortcomings and vulnerabilities.
However, he also emphasises that true growth emerges from these
moments of discomfort, as they signify our willingness to evolve
and embrace positive change.
“Developing Reflective Practice” offers readers a range of
techniques and exercises to implement in their daily routines. From
journaling to mindfulness practices, these tools help individuals
build resilience and emotional intelligence, enhancing their
capacity to navigate life’s challenges with grace and wisdom. The
act of looking inward enables us to not only understand ourselves
better but also to create a more compassionate and harmonious world
around us.
*Reflections of an Early Career Nurse blog*
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