Table of Contents

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

About the Author

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.

Reviews

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*