Reflective practice: May 22nd 2009

I was away visiting my mother last week in north wales where she lives with my step-father. I can't say that I felt anything in particular at missing a class, probably because I was taken up with the dynamic of being around parents again. Interestingly, the first thing they did was to take me for an ice-cream as soon as i got off the train. Now there's a regression I'll never object to!

Anyway, back into the fray! Self-awareness and reflection on one's own thoughts are a vital part of the counselling process for the helper. The helper needs to take feedback and reflect upon their own experience in order to identify patterns. We looked at learning journal extracts and identified which seemed more reflective. These were calmer and more considered and stood out from other extracts which were more prickly and took the behaviour and comments of tothers as very personal. Self-reflection then is a slightly distanced activity and something I'm accustomed to from script feedback.

I see that looking back over previous learning journal entries, that I both detail broadly what goes on in class and make a note of anything interesting. I am a little inhibited about reflection because there is a tension surrounding the respecting of the privacy of colleagues.

We were encouraged to consider a 'smart goal' to achieve with respect to our own reflection. Mine will centre around my learning journal (this very one!). K made a very salient point during triad work. She suggested that I keep two. This blog and a more private (for my eyes only) type of journal which could be more reflective. Interestingly, E and I were clients and helpers this week whilst K was helper and observer. I like triad work though it takes a while to get your head round it. I do note a certain reluctance on the part of some to give written feedback the next week.

More on self-awareness: May 8th 2009

I have been remiss in my entries of late. This is a mistake. I look back at my scrawled notes and cannot construct a coherent narrative from them. Memo to self: Blog while memory is fresh.

This week carried on from last week's subject in which the importance of self-awareness was emphasized. This is ongoing and forms an important part of personal development both as a human and as a counsellor. We each had a large sheet of A3 and a marker and were encouraged to draw or write two diagrams or sets of words to delineate those that support us and those that don't. Not just people but activities, hobbies, beliefs etc. We then discussed in pairs what these meant to us. E and I seemed to have a lot of things in common on the support front though things that had the opposite effect (ie: pulled us down) seemed more idiosyncratic.

The triad work this week was myself, V and M discussing our own experiences of counselling, practising specifically UPR and warmth whilst maintaining structure and contact. M had to leave early so it was V and me by the end but a useful role play nonetheless. Our personal narratives during these experiences are becoming less self-conscious and more fluent.

Had a tutorial with A after who was wholehearted in her support for my studying further at Birkbeck, which is most encouraging. Nowt like affirmation!

Back in the swim 24th March 2009

So, new start of term and a new essay looms! Ha, bring it on I say...

It was good to see everyone again and interesting as A noted that if a client has had a break from counselling then sometimes the first session back is notable for the absence of client. Our group was no exception as a couple of members did not return.

We concentrated very much on reconnecting and starting to think about writing styles for the essay. A divided these styles into four categories: Diver, Patchworker, Architect and Grand Planner.

DIVER: Just gets straight in there and comes up with something.
PATCHWORKER: Draws research from a variety of areas and patches it all together.
ARCHITECT: Structured, planning. Methodical.
GRAND PLANNER: Writes it all in their head and just does it. No re-drafting.

We divided into groups according to which style we felt we were and brainstormed the advantages and disadvantages of each style. K and I were architects. The advantages were, organisational, methodical, logical, sound structure, intro, body and conclusion. The disadvantages were mainly to do with spontaneity (or lack thereof!) and the ability to admit valid new discourses. Ie: Don't get hung up too much on the planning to deny new ideas. This was an interesting approach with new essays imminent.

We then worked in triads to give, receive and observe counselling on writing styles. This got more complicated because there were three feedback forms to fill in. One self-reflective and the other two for the giver and receiver of the counselling. This will take a while to get used to. It was impossible for me to divide myself the-writer-as-counsellor from me the writer-of-scripts though I was certainly prepared to admit that my creative writing could also use the freedom of admitting new ideas and concepts.