Product Description

`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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21459 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
`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

'I have adopted reflective writing into my medical practice and teaching over the years but never knew what I was doing. After reading Bolton, I feel I do. She has enabled me to place this method not only within clinical teaching but within human experience, joining my doctor/nurse/social worker/student writers and me with teachers, midwives, businessmen, and government workers. Trans-cultural and trans-disciplinary, this multi-voiced and highly textured work enacts the power and the practical wisdom of reflective practice. 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

'To paraphrase William Carlos Williams, despite our wonderful technological wizardry, the physician has ultimately to fall back on his or her way of being in the world, his or her sense of self. That is the critical instrument and reflective practice is a wonderful means to that end. Gillie Bolton captures the why, what and how of this movement in medicine, and the writing examples are full of gems from physicians who have used this process with great results' - Abraham Verghese MD, Author of My Own Country and The Tennis Partner and Director, Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio

'As a reference book it is excellent. As a handbook for method it is thorough. As a stimulus to thinking afresh - and in encouraging others to do so - it may prove revolutionary' - Towards Wholeness

'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 professional' 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

Customer Reviews

Reflective Practice: writing & professional development
I think this book captures the value of writing and reflecting across different practices and is particularly suited to counselling practice. It highlights things like artistry, poetry and metaphor in a field more generally associated with scientific principles. It was easy to read, refreshing and thought provoking.

How to use and facilitate reflective practice
Reflective practice is one of the most powerful methods for professionals in any field to engage in self development. It is also a method of transforming the level of collaboration among colleagues. This is a practical in-depth guide. The examples show how useful these methods can be.

rubbish
Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development I am quite interested in the subject of this book and, having seen its contents page, had decided to order it. However, having looked at the sample pages and seen the excremental example that the author uses on page 5 for the mirror image idea, I cannot believe that she has anything of value to offer. Was this book edited? Is the use of such crude language now the norm in professional level study texts? If so, why are we concerned about the standard of A levels where no intelligent student would demonstrate so limited a range of imagination and language?