The Opportunities and Pitfalls of Reflective Practice in an age of Austerity

Abstract

On the basis that psychotherapists are experts at reflective practice, this article explores the notion of reflection as both an individual and a systemic issue, and argues that in our present age of austerity there is an increasing tension between the two. The article begins by describing pertinent aspects of today's UK National Health Service and some of the reflective practice projects in which the author has been involved with groups of health professionals in this context. The article focuses on the anxiety that drives the organisations within which we practice health and social care, and suggests that we might help contain this anxiety, not just by working with groups of anxious staff, but by helping society better understand and articulate the problem.