I immersed myself further in the practice of self-reflection, which I’ve discovered is crucial to my development as a therapist and extends beyond being merely a professional tool. I was reminded of the potential drawbacks of self-reflection when reading about its dual-edged nature in Kross et al. (2023). One such risk is overthinking, which can lead to rumination. This realization made me realize how important it is to strike a balance in my reflective practice so that it stays a positive, healthy aspect of my everyday routine.
I put everything I’ve been studying about reflection to use during this week’s sessions. For example, I always took some time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t after each session. It is about developing into a therapist who can meet clients where they are.
Bailey (2022) discusses how contemplation can foster greater emotional intelligence and compassion, two traits I felt I needed this week while navigating clients’ complicated emotions. It is interesting to note that thinking back on the challenging times—those that involved uncertainty or discontent—turned out to be the most insightful. Although facing my inadequacies is painful, it is essential for maintaining my professional efficacy and integrity. Through this self-examination process, I am learning to identify underlying biases and worries that might affect my job.
I realized how essential these observations are to the fundamentals of therapy. They not only improve my knowledge and abilities, but they also reaffirm my dedication to moral behavior. I am getting better at helping my customers and making sure that I stay interested and sympathetic in every interaction by keeping a reflective journal of my experiences and responses. I want to continue honing this reflective approach in the future. Every session is an opportunity for growth and learning, and every introspection helps me become the kind of therapist I want to be.
References
Bailey, J. R. (2022). Don’t underestimate the power of self-reflection. Harvard Business Review.
Kross, E., Ong, M., & Ayduk, Ö. (2023). Self-reflection at work: Why it matters and how to harness its potential and avoid its pitfalls. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 10(1), 441–464.