Reflective practice

Reflective practice implies moving “beyond the obvious” on several levels. An openness to the unique involved in all new client encounters is fundamental for reflective practice. Reflective practice involves, stresses D. A. Schon, a relationship based on a reflective contract, where the practitioner commits him or herself to a degree of openness and a genuine interest in how others perceive reality. Schon distinguishes between single loop and double loop learning; Single-loop learning is like a thermostat that learns when it is too hot or too cold and turns the heat on or off. P. Casement distinguishes between countertransference and what he calls “mirroring” to illustrate this kind of double loop thinking. Double loop learning is actually quite obvious thinking for many therapists. In the authentic way of being, personal involvement is much more acceptable, with the therapist much more closely identified with the client and more openly concerned to explore the therapeutic relationship.