Reflective practice Reflective Practice: Criteria 6 Criterion 6.1 – Knowledge and understanding This section of the application process is concerned with the knowledge used that informs your practice with clients. It incorporates your understanding and use of theory/theories and on what basis you integrate them in your work with clients in a meaningful way. The following are points you may want to consider in your content: An explanation of how you came to develop your approach A description of how theory informs your actual practice Problems with putting theory into practice, and how you overcame them. Assuming your approach is eclectic or integrative, how is coherence ensured? Recommended word count = 1000 words (+ or -10%), please give your word count at the end. Criterion 6.2 and 6.3: Practice and the use of supervision Practice In this section, you should present a case study that provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate how you exercised the counsellor’s broader professional responsibilities in your work. Your case material should also demonstrate the application of the theory/theories described previously under 6.1 The use of supervision In this section you should show how you have gained awareness from supervision and demonstrate how this awareness is applied in your work with clients. In your case material demonstrate how supervision influences your practice by describing: Overview of the type and nature of the supervision The issues brought to the supervision and why How the supervision influenced the applicant's wider development as a counsellor The recommended word count for Criteria 6.2 and 6.3 is 1000 words in total (+ or - 10%); please give the word count at the end Case material for 6.2 and 6.3: Choosing your case material You should choose a case study in consultation with your supervisor. Case material that is written for another purpose is unlikely to meet these application requirements. The example used for the case material should be typical of your current or recent work. All case material submitted should be commented on by your supervisor(s) in their Supervisor Report. Writing your case material The applicant should choose a case study that provides the opportunity to demonstrate the broad professional responsibilities of the counsellor to the client. You should also use your case material to show how the theory/theories used inform your practice. You should illustrate your own self-awareness as a practitioner and how this is used in the therapeutic relationship with your client(s). You must make reference to your awareness of issues of difference and equality, and show that you work within the Standards of Conduct and Ethics and alcohol professionals. You should also show how you have gained awareness through your supervision and illustrate how this influences your work with clients. The case material should illustrate self-reflection, give a sense of the relationship between you and your client and show that the theory/theories described in Criterion 6.1 are those you use in practice. It should not be an account of the client’s story or a chronicle of events. The work can include extracts from client sessions, but you must disguise the identity of your client(s). Presenting your case material Your case study should cover the wide range of professional responsibilities in therapeutic practice; which may include, besides counselling itself: comprehensive assessment(initial assessment, including intake and orientation) , treatment planning, case management(including report and record keeping), crisis intervention, client education, consultation with other professionals in regard to client treatment, including referrals and supervision (e.g. the ‘core functions of the counsellor’ Kulewicz 1996); Relevant forms and correspondence should be inserted in the appendix. You should also include here: Risk assessment (a reference to health and self harm/suicide issues should be included); social history; substance use history; emotional/behavioural assessment; treatment plan and treatment plan review; aftercare plan and discharge plan. You do not have to present the case material as an academic essay. The case material may contain verbatim extracts from your sessions. You must reference published works, authors, theories etc when referring to, or quoting directly from their work.