Reflective Essays

As part of the Level 5 assessment you need to complete two final reflective essays

General Notes

Format

Detailed references are not required for these essays as the emphasis is on your own reflection and common sense solutions to everyday problems in clinical practice, etc.

However, where texts are cited references should be given in Harvard style at the end of the essays.

In case studies we are not looking for perfectly successful outcomes, many experienced, competent and successful therapists don’t always achieve the positive outcome they would prefer. This may mean that your essay is focused on a case study that is either still ongoing, or where the client didn't achieve all of the initial goal / goals. The purpose of this reflective essay is to demonstrate that you understand how to apply the CBH model, to show how you worked with your client and used their feedback and to reflect on the learning opportunity.

Reflective Essay - Case Study

This is a 2000 word essay, most likely on your final case study. If you wish to focus on one of your other case studies please discuss this with your supervisor before commencing.

Ensure that your reflective essay includes the following headings and focus:

Client assessment. Include details of assessment forms used, a brief outline of the issue and the clients goals.
Case conceptualisation. What conceptualisation did you reach with your client, what models did you use, how did you link these to your clients issue.
Course of treatment / session content initial plan. What was your initial plan for treatment and outline of the planned content of sessions.
Overview of session content. What was the actual content of sessions, which strategies did you use, what skills training did you include. Include here any issues that you took to supervision. Include reflections on the working alliance in this section.
End of session review and outcomes. This section should detail the outcome of the sessions, including how they related to the client’s goals. If you feel therapy was of limited help to the client, include a brief reflection on why you feel the therapy was of limited success.
Limitations, concerns. This section is an opportunity for you to reflect on any issues that arose and how you managed these (i.e. cancelled sessions, not completing homework).
Overall reflections. This section should include reflections on what you might have done differently or what else you may have focused on if you were working this this client over more sessions. You should also include a note of your clients feedback.