Reflective Practice in Psychology: Benefits and Recommendations

Running head: ASSIGNMENT 2
Reflective practice is critical for professional life
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1ASSIGNMENT 2
Introduction
Reflective practice refers to the aptitude to reflect on one's activities with the aim of
involving oneself in a procedure that encompasses continuous learning. In other words,
reflective practice can also be defied as the process of paying serious consideration to the
real-world values and philosophies which notify commonplace actions, by exploring
the practice contemplatively and instinctively (Gould & Taylor, 2017). My enrolled
discipline is psychology (Bachelors of Counselling) where in my future practice I would be
involved in initiating and conducting structured, and planned dialogue with my clients. This
essay will discuss the benefits of reflective practice and will recommend the different ways
by which reflection can be utilised in the discipline of psychology.
Reflective practice
The concepts that underline reflective practice are quite old and they were discussed
broadly in the 20th century where John Dewey wrote on reflective practice, with the intent of
talking about his experiences, exploration, reflection and interaction in professional life. Soon
thereafter, Jean Piaget and Kurt Lewin also contributed to certain theories of human
development and learning that encompasses reflective practice. These helped in establishing
the fact that reflection is an imperative human action in which individuals evoke their
knowledge, contemplate over it, followed by an evaluation. Hence, the concept of reflective
practice is closely associated to learning from past experience (Johns, 2017).
Reflective practice has also been defined in the form of a dynamic, active, action
centred and moral set of expertise, positioned in real time that deals with actual, complex and
problematic situations (Gould & Taylor, 2017). Academics also incline to decide that
reflective practice connexions the break between the ‘high ground’ of philosophy and the
‘swampy lowlands’ of exercise. In other words, reflective practice has been found imperative

2ASSIGNMENT 2
in assisting professionals to explore different theories and implement them to actual
experiences in a well-thought-out approach. These can either be recognised philosophies
from theoretical exploration, or personal notions. It also inspires the professionals to explore
set of principles and conventions, besides finding explanations to problems.
Reflection in counselling
In the words of Elkjaer and Høyrup (2006) a portion of the ‘art of listening’
encompasses adoption of an approach that works towards ensuring that the client recognises
their story is being attended to with utmost priority. This is accomplished when the effective
helper and/or counsellor repeats back and clarifies part of their account to the client, a process
that is commonly referred to as paraphrasing. Hence, reflecting comprises of a set of actions
that allow the client to understand that not only have their spoken words been taken into
account, but their emotions and feelings are also paid attention (Bassot, 2015). According to
Johns (2017) while using the skill of reflective practice, the counsellors take attempt at
matching the feelings of said words, tone, body language and facial expression of the clients.
The potential advantages of reflective practice encompasses three domains namely, (i)
affirming what has been said, (ii) gaining an awareness of the current practices that need
improvements, and (iiii) recognition of areas that should be given considerable attention
(Knott & Scragg, 2016).
The process of self-evaluation should not be conducted in isolation. Rather the
process should also include the supervisor, which in turn will benefit the counsellor from the
neutrality, complexity, and awareness (Hickson, 2011). Reflective writing helps in gaining
metacognition and acts as a core element in effective professional learning. An assessment of
the writing during the process of revision creates provision that allows the explanation of
counselling therapy choices, and evaluation of the potential advantages and disadvantages of
the implemented therapy. According to Gould and Taylor (2017) under circumstances when