Relational Reflective
Practice
A model for individuals, groups and teams to learn and experience sound relational approaches to practice through tailored training, reflection and consultation options.
Our Relational Practice Model
Relate and Reflect theory and techniques are derived from key practice elements of Cognitive Analytic Therapy. Our training and consultation sessions introduce participants to theory and skills that support:
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insight into relational patterns and how to use this knowledge for formulation;
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insight into the helping relationship, and;
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knowledge and techniques for working relationally in practice.
All Relate and Reflect training and consultation sessions integrate principles of reflective practice, adult learning, implementation science and group work skills. These features of our model delivery method support learning, safety, relevance and knowledge transfer of relational approaches to meet a range of therapeutic and service development aims.
The Aims and Benefits
of Relational Reflective Practice
Workers and teams across mental health, therapeutic, education and community care sectors regularly grapple with systemic complexities and human challenges. Individual workers and teams find they benefit personally and professionally from the capacity of the Relate and Reflect model to provide insight into this complexity and the challenges in their work.
Having ways to 'map' relational experiences in the moment and to reflect on the context we are working in can help to prevent the repetition of unhelpful patterns of responding and acting. Deepening understanding in this way can lead to increased empathy, improved working relationships, enhanced therapeutic interventions, and more connected service environments that directly benefits workers and service users.
Relate and Reflect offers a range of options for learning the theory and 'how to' of a relational reflective approach to direct practice settings. We provide introductory training to foundational concepts and skills, and progressively build up options for practitioners looking for more experience with supervision and consultation training.
Our team training packages are also designed to support whole of team foundational learning, with a focus on supporting more experienced staff to champion the approach through leadership and supervision in their service environment.
For those interested in becoming accredited Cognitive Analytic Therapists, you can access the two year intensive course through our partner In Dialogue.
Our Training
Problem Based Learning
R & R Training and consultation sessions focus heavily on problem based learning approaches to engage and teach key concepts and techniques. We use a mixed media approach to provide case studies and provoke discussions, as well as drawing on real life practice examples for applied learning and reflection. Our expertise in group consultation, facilitation and teaching supports individual and team interaction in sessions. We focus on making learning accessible and relevant to each groups context.
Relational Teaching Style
We don't just share content about relational theory and techniques, we also use a relational approach in our training and consultation styles. We know from experience that a collaborative, reflective and attuned stance is just as effective in building a safe learning space for training sessions as it is for therapeutic helping relationships in the workplace.
In person and online learning
R & R Training and Consultation packages include access to online video modules with paired training manuals. These form part of the learning and remain a resource for teams to refresh and support staff over a 12month period. Access to the online, on demand content can assist workplaces where there may be barriers to attending in-person training. We can work with teams to consider what mix of delivery methods may be a good balance for their individual operational and learning needs.
Evaluate and Respond
R & R has been the subject of two formal mixed-method evaluations in addition to ongoing quality assurance measures for each package we deliver. An early needs assessment, and brief questionnaires as well as easy to use measurement tools are offered and administered at key time points in each package delivery. The information we collect helps to ensure we are meeting the groups needs, and adapt where needed through the course of the training and consultation period. It also provides a summary snapshot of staff experience and feedback at closure for leadership and key stakeholders.