Socially responsive reflective practice: A cornerstone of professionalism for health service psychology.

Abstract

This article focuses on reflective practice as an essential component of professionalism among Health Service Psychologists (HSPs), especially in their efforts to become more socially responsive and to better serve underrepresented communities within the society-at-large. It highlights the importance of a lifelong process of self-reflection among HSPs-practitioners, faculty, researchers, and consultants-that begins during training and continues as an integral part of professional development. We argue that HSPs have both a professional and ethical obligation to remain up to date in their knowledge and skills, to practice competently, to become more socially responsive, and to better serve underrepresented communities within society. Socially responsive reflective practice should play a crucial role in training settings. Ideally, its impact on students has a ripple effect on the larger society as those same students become professionals contributing to their communities in socially responsive ways. Despite the importance of reflective practice, it comes with several challenges in implementation and execution. Some barriers to this socially responsive self-reflective process are highlighted, and potential ways for practitioners to remedy them are provided. To that end, the Social Responsiveness in Professionalism Checklist is included in the Appendix as a structured review and helpful guide to improve this socially responsive self-reflective process. Public Significance StatementThis article highlights how to enhance, through a number of platforms, an essential component of professionalism, socially responsive reflective practice. Integrating self-reflective practice would ideally begin in training settings and continue throughout the Health Service Psychologist's life span. To begin this socially responsive self-reflective process, a number of tools, including the Social Responsiveness in Professionalism Checklist, are suggested. Socially responsive reflective practice will promote more competent and ethical service to underrepresented and marginalized communities.

Socially responsive health service psychology: Implications of the 2020 CCTC conference for practitioners.

“…D’Angelo et al (2023) write about the very nature of reflective practice as an essential component of socially responsive professionalism within HSP. Practitioners are encouraged to consider reflective practice as a lifelong journey and are provided with a Social Responsiveness in Professionalism Checklist to improve their self-reflective process in efforts to better serve underrepresented communities.…”