'I was interested in the work of Gillie Bolton and her ideas on the use of writing in personal and professional development. I decided to try one of her suggestions and write the story of the family's complaint from the point of view of the parents. The first line came easily: "She nearly died you know. Our daughter nearly died." At that point my perspective on the complaint changed. By thinking about the complaint from the family's point of view, I understood that my role in the meeting wasn't to defend but to listen' - General Practitioner, Bedford, British Medical Journal 'Reflective practice and writing can change lives. It changed mine. The very act of writing down the problem, clarifying, thinking, working through the issues, being forced to commit, is powerful. Read Gillie's book and learn more' - Kenneth C. Calman, Vice-Chancellor and Warden, University of Durham 'One of the strengths of this book is that, although the intangible nature of reflection could leave one hungry for more "bullet points" to pin down exactly what "it" is, Gillie Bolton here tends instead to punctuate her text with real examples of professionals' writing work...This book as a whole is a rich invitation to consider not just the how of reflectivw writing - but also the why' - Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry 'The book gives me fresh ideas for my teaching, solid theoretical frameworks for understanding it, infused commitment to the method, and grateful pride to be a member of this band of the searchers for truth and joy through writing' - Rita Charon, Program in Narrative Medicine, Columbia University, New York 'Gillie's book presented a powerful picture of the process of reflective practice - and how it can integrate the personal and the professional to the long-term benefit of professionals and their clients. I am inspired to try the process for myself, and ready to recommend it to all caring professionals, and anyone whose main job is dealing with people' - The Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy In this fully updated and revised Second Edition the author draws on her considerable experience as well as extensive research and development in the area to demonstrate and explore a creative dynamic mode of reflection and reflexivity. Using expressive and explorative writing combined with in-depth group work or mentoring and appropriate focussed research, it enables deep, sensitive, critical examinations of practice. The book offers a searching and thorough approach which increases student and professional motivation, satisfaction, and deep levels of learning. Reflection, reflexivity, narrative, metaphor, complexity, and their use, are clearly explained, and the literary and artistic methods used are firmly grounded in educational theory and pedagogical principles. The methods are appropriate to, and used worldwide by, pre-and post-experience professionals in in-service and Higher Education, in medicine, education, clinical psychology, nursing, therapy, counselling, leadership, life coaching, business management and HR development.

Table of Contents

An Introduction to Reflective Practice Narrative-Based Practice Through the Looking-Glass Writing as a Reflective Practitioner Principles of Reflective Practice Pulling Together Writing for Peers; Team Creation Why Narrative? Metaphor and Poetry Assessment and Evaluation How to Begin Writing The Learning Journal Writing in Genre Group Processes and Facilitation Reflection on Reflection