“A good book …leaves you wanting to reread the book. A great book compels you to reread your soul.” (Flanagan 2014, p.28)
The parallels can be drawn to a great therapy session, one that invites us to re-view our lives and reread our souls.
Therefore to ensure the refinement of therapeutic skills, dedicated practitioners engage in the ongoing examination of their knowledge and practices. Here is a (work in progress) checklist that I reflect upon, for your perusal:
- When people make the brave decision to see a practitioner, what does this say about their commitments and principles?
- How do I ensure that I meet the person or family before I meet the grips of problem?
- How am I expressing my commitment in believing that adults, families, young people, children, schools, communities are not the problem; the problem is the problem?
- In what way do I fine tune my listening and notice people are seldom passive to challenges and hard times; they are often responding to what they give value to?
- Who are our allies and people outside of the therapy room that might advocate and support the ongoing positive therapeutic outcomes?
- What do I need to respect about the problem that brings people into the therapy room; and how have they resisted the grips of the problem thus far?
- Am I being open to the exchange of knowledge and expertise from the people I am privileged to consult?
- Do the people I meet have ownership and agency over their stories? Am I supporting the re-writing of the scripts ascribed upon their identities?
- Are my therapeutic questions demonstrating care, respect and manners?
- How do I stay aware of my own blind spots?
- What are the changes people hope to continue experiencing by engaging in therapy?
- What would people hope I value or appreciate about the environment they are immersed within? How will therapy assist in meeting challenging environments?
- Am I creating an enriched and creative environment for people to discover new ideas?
- In what way do I promote the power of a small spark?
Please feel free to add more questions that continue to support the professional development of practitioners who are dedicated in engaging – not just good work, but great work…
