In the service professions such as education and medicine, practitioners are encouraged to be reflective in their practice. That is, considering the complexity of their work, it is advisable for practitioners to think and act in deliberate ways. Reflective practice is used as a means for developing new skills, ensuring quality service, and dealing with occupational stressors. Research has shown that structured reflective practice improves decision-making and reduces burnout. Interpreters are late to the practice of structured reflection and are only beginning to recognize the need for and benefits of reflective practice. However, many interpreters have never been given the skills or don’t often have the opportunity to engage in structured reflective practices.

This half-day workshop addresses this professional need. The first part of the workshop will be a review of reflective practice as a normative professional development tool. The second part of the day will introduce participants to reflective practice techniques such as case conferencing and thematic supervision. Attending this workshop will allow participants to understand the components of structured reflective practice and provide further opportunities to engage in this ongoing practice.