This important textbook is a revised and updated edition of a very well-received and much-appreciated insightful guide to reflective practice designed for students, practitioners and managers of social work, health care and related fields. Its clear and careful integration of both the 'thinking and doing' elements of the often challenging task of practising reflectively makes this book an ideal text at all levels of study and practice. Divided into two parts, the book focuses first on theoretical issues to help develop a sound foundation of understanding of critically reflective practice and then on practical guidance on how to make this type of practice a reality.
Sue Thompson (1955-) is a former staff nurse and is now an independent social worker. A longstanding champion of older people's rights and anti-ageist practice, Sue is a well-published author and highly respected figure in the field of social care.
Thompson received her doctoral degree in sociology from the University of Liverpool. She received her BA in Sociology (Hons) from the University of Liverpool in 1991 and her MA in Social Work from the University of Wales, Bangor, 1996. She won the CCETSW Practice Teaching Award, in 1999.
After 2 years as a social worker, I picked up this book to remind myself of the importance of critical reflection as a practitioner. I was not disappointed by what I found inside. Case studies, practical tips, and useful knowledge about how to increase your skills in critical reflection, as well as its relationship to issues of burnout, vicarious trauma, and surviving in a caring profession.
I will say this, however, while this book is titled "The Critically Reflective Practitioner", as with most literature on the subject, there is still a huge focus on developing this as a student. It would be great to find something more specific to developing this skill in practitioners after they've graduated.