Utilizing contemplative practices in social work education

ABSTRACT

Within social work education, contemplative practices are a way of improving and supporting positive student development while providing a holistic educational experience. Contemplative practices assist students in developing valuable coping skills and self-regulation, while also teaching techniques for stress reduction. This article begins with an introduction to contemplative practices and then specifically discusses the contemplative practices of mindfulness, meditation, yoga, deep listening and free writing, some of which are more prevalent and established within social work education than others. Definitions, uses and empirical evidence within social work and higher education are offered throughout. Finally, implications for teaching, as well as challenges to integrating contemplative practices within social work education are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Contemplative practices
• pedagogies
• reflection
• higher education
• mindfulness
• skills teaching