Field Note—Engaging Social Work Interns in Reflective Practice: A Specialized Training Series for Field Instructors

ABSTRACT

To address a gap in social work field instructor training, a unique reflective practice training series was designed and implemented with social work field instructors supervising BSW social work interns. Grounded in the connection between supervision and the development of reflective practice skills, the 6-session training series provided field instructors with an introduction to reflective supervision strategies that can be employed with social work interns. The participants’ feedback indicates that the training series increased field instructors’ use of reflective practice strategies in field instruction. The positive response to the training series demonstrates the need for additional attention to reflective practice training and assessment in social work field instruction.

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Notes on contributors

Sarah E. Shea

Sarah E. Shea, PhD, LMSW, IECMH-E® (IV), is an associate professor of social work and social work field director at Eastern Michigan University.