Reflective Reflection In Social Work

making Practice-Based Learning work Reflection on PRACTICE A resource commissioned by the Making Practice Based Learning Work project, an educational development project funded through FDTL Phase 4 Project Number 174/02 and produced by staff from the University of Ulster. www.practicebasedlearning.org Author Patricia McClure School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster www.practicebasedlearning.org contents Reflection on Practice 02

The counselling process is based on the exchange of emotions between the client and the counsellor which aims to form an alliance (Hough, 1998). It involves the counsellor using skills in which they possess in order to communicate effectively with clients (Hough, 1998). This reflective essay clearly articulates my application of counselling skills used in this practice session and suggestions for improvement. It will provide a summary of the session, identification of a range of skills used and a brief explanation of the reasons for using the skill. It will also provide an evaluation of my application of the skills chosen, including verbatim examples, suggestions for improvement, also including verbatim examples to demonstrate what could

This was a very eye opening class for me. Coming from a mental health counselling background I have to admit it is a major difference in how social workers operate versus therapist. In this essay I will reflected on how this social work class has genuinely affected me, my strengths and weaknesses, and what I have taken away from this class. I always gain a great deal of satisfaction from helping others. I remember from middle school on through adulthood I was the go to person. If a person had an issue or needed to talk. I was the voice of reasoning. I was the one able to grab hold of certain resources if someone was in need

This essay will demonstrate an understanding of the theory of reflective practice within healthcare and nursing. Furthermore, the essay will identify and analyse the different models of reflective practice, the effectiveness of the models and how healthcare professionals can apply this within their profession. Also, the barriers that may prevent a healthcare professional from reflecting will be discussed in this essay and how it will impact the quality of care delivered to patients.

Entry 1 On this module you have explored what might have led you to join the social work profession. Why is it important to think about your motivations for becoming social workers and how might this affect the way you practice? Why is self-awareness important in social work practice? Given your own unique background, what areas of social work might you find challenging and why?

The service user I am currently working with is P (26) single parent and B (15-month-old) infant. She was referred to our service via the orthopaedic nurse, to get access to relevant service within her community. B has complicated health needs and requires specialist children centre groups, due to her low immune system. The family are isolated and find it challenging to socialise, and require support finding playgroups for her child. Additionally, P has a new partner and she has made me aware that he emotionally abusing her and feels more isolated due to his controlling behaviour. He prevents her from seeing old friends and changed requested her to change her number. P has made me aware that R does not trust her, and accuses her of being intimate

I had been working with a child where I needed to conduct an assessment. Before the meeting to share the information with the parents, I sent them a copy of the completed assessment to enable them to gather their thoughts so that at the meeting I was able to answer any specific concerns. The mother had rang me the day she received the assessment as she was not happy about the comments written. I explained to the mother that we could discuss the matter at the meeting but, although she did not respond, I could sense that the mother was still irate.

Self-awareness and the use of self is a key component in social work practice. Depending upon how one integrates their personal being and accompanying thoughts, experiences, emotions, and consciousness into the helping profession has a profound impact on whether that integration is positive or negative, particularly when it comes to that of one’s relationships with their clients. While remaining impartial is often critical to effective social work practice, the complete separation of self from one’s professional practice is not only impossible to realize, but would arguably have less of a meaningful impact with one’s relations with clients as well as self. Understanding the use of self and the importance of self-awareness in the social work profession is the first step in establishing a healthy means of practicing and the impact that our own individuality has when interacting with clients. In this paper I will analyze, and further critically reflect upon, four academic journals on the topic of the use of self in social work; later applying this learning to an experience from my field placement.

Being willing and available to share and implement thoughts and suggestions to others about unexpected life situations are a major part of being of social worker. For myself, being available to offer solutions to people of all genders, backgrounds, religions and more engenders a sense of purpose and accomplishment. My social work experience thus far has taught me how valuable communication is from both the person needing assistance and the individual offering help. Generally speaking, most people prefer individuals that will listen to them attentively as they share their thoughts. I have realized that during this process, both parties are given the opportunity to intake the information, before releasing any suggestions. Communication is essential, in order to properly identify and fix the problem.

Self-reflection and correction in social work practice is important for continued learning and professional development. Without self-awareness, social workers cannot separate their personal feelings, values, and attitudes from their professional. This is important because we need to focus on the needs of the client, not what we think they need. Knowing how to separate our personal feelings and values from our professional feelings and values will prevent us from getting burnout and help us maintain professional boundaries.

Today’s session was conducted by second year placement social work students and service users. The issue they covered was about the relevance of working in partnership within the social care profession.

There are many different ways that I can practice self-reflection and personal growth as a social worker. One thing I can do is journal about specific cases and reread what I’ve written down to see if anything I wrote down has anything to do with my own values or beliefs. Another thing I can do is whenever I talk with my supervisor about cases I can pay

At the beginning of the course, I feel that I was naive about my professional knowledge about the field of social work. I had a false knowledge about what the field entailed

Every worthwhile journey begins with one step. My social work journey began when I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Utah in 2003. I thought my next step would be to immediately pursue a graduate degree. In my undergraduate career I had taken numerous classes from the College of Social and Behavioral Science and had done well in those classes. In my Social Work as a Profession course I had an assignment to shadow a social worker and write a paper about my experience. I chose to shadow my father-in-law, a social worker with over 30 years of experience, and in my paper I expressed my desire to go into the social work field. I knew I liked helping people. I knew I liked problem solving and critical thinking. I thought my 22 year-old self was ready to embark on that journey, but I wasn’t. I realize now that what I lacked at graduation was one crucial step… perspective. Over the past twelve years I have gained that much needed perspective and have taken many steps forward in my journey, and with those steps and that increased perspective, I now feel more fully prepared to begin my social work career.

* Differentiation and elaboration of experience. Clients start back seeing things in a very black and white manner with no grey areas. This change during the counselling process.