What Does It Mean To "Do The Right Thing" As a Healing & Spiritual Practitioner?
How can we reflect on our practice, values, ethics, and decision making with the intent to "always do the right thing" as multidisciplinary healing practitioners?
Like the title line that is emphasized throughout Spike Lee’s iconic 1989 film, “Do The Right Thing,” we are all moving through life asking ourselves: What exactly does it mean to do the right thing in any given situation?
The answer is complex yet simple: It depends.
I believe that most people out here in the world are trying to do good. I believe that most people strive to “always do the right thing” in their everyday lives, especially when faced with difficult multilayered ethical conflicts.
I especially believe that if you’ve been drawn to help or heal people in any way, you are likely someone who wants to leave the world in a better place than which you found it. Chances are, you’re also the type of person and professional who wants to do the best possible job you can by having a positive impact on the people you serve.
I would also guess that you’re someone who has committed the time, energy, and dedication into learning and practicing your craft, knowing that lifelong education never stops, and that the more experience you get over time, the better practitioner you become.
In our journey as multidisciplinary healing and spiritual practitioners, one of the most profound tools we can employ is Reflective Practice. This method enables us to continuously evaluate and refine our practice, values, ethics, and decision-making processes, ensuring that we remain true to our commitment to do the right thing and provide the best care possible to our clients.
What is Reflective Practice?
Reflective practice is a method of self-assessment and improvement where practitioners consciously analyze their actions, decisions, and the outcomes of their work. It involves taking a step back from our day-to-day routines to critically evaluate what we do, why we do it, and how we can improve. This practice is essential for personal and professional growth, allowing us to learn from our experiences and integrate those lessons into our future actions.
Why Reflective Practice Matters
I believe that most healing and spiritual practitioners strive to “do the right thing.”
Reflective practice matters because it aligns with this core value. It helps us ensure that our actions are consistent with our values and ethics, and it guides us in making decisions that are in the best interest of those we serve. Through reflection, we gain insights into our strengths and areas for improvement, fostering a cycle of continuous growth and development.
The Process of Reflective Practice
Self-Observation: Begin your journey into self reflection by observing your own practices. Take note of your thoughts, actions, decisions, and interactions with clients. This can be done through journaling, recording sessions (with client consent), or simply making mental notes before, during, and after your sessions.
Critical Analysis: Analyze these observations with a constructively critical lens. Ask yourself questions like: Why did I make that decision? What were the outcomes? How did my actions align with my values and ethics? What could I have done differently?
Seeking Feedback: Engage with peers or mentors to gain external perspectives. Discussing your experiences with others can provide valuable insights and highlight blind spots you may have missed.
Integration of Insights: Integrate the lessons learned into your practice. This might involve changing certain approaches, adopting new techniques, or reinforcing behaviors that had positive outcomes.
Ongoing Evaluation: Reflective practice is not a one-time activity but a continuous process. Regularly set aside time for reflection to keep evolving as a practitioner.
The Benefits of Reflective Practice
Enhanced Self-Awareness: Reflective practice increases your awareness of your actions, decisions, and their impact, leading to more mindful and intentional practice.
Improved Decision-Making: By reflecting on past decisions, you can make better-informed choices in the future, ensuring they align with your values and ethics.
Professional Growth: Continuous reflection fosters lifelong learning and development, helping you stay current with best practices and emerging trends in your field.
Better Client Outcomes: Ultimately, reflective practice leads to better client outcomes as you refine your skills and approaches to meet their needs more effectively.
As healing practitioners and spiritual practitioners, our dedication to doing the right thing and improving the lives of those we serve is at the heart of our work.
Reflective practice is a powerful tool that helps us align our actions with our values, continuously improve our skills, and ensure that we are providing the best possible services. By embracing reflective practice, we commit to a journey of lifelong learning and growth, striving always to leave the world a better place through our healing work.
Are you interested in learning more about Reflective Practice & Ethics as a Healing & Spiritual Practitioner?
Follow my new Substack series, “Reflecting on my Practice: Multifaceted Ethics & Insights for Healing Practitioners” for more information on how you can start reflecting on your practice & ethics to be the best practitioner you can be.
Comment below with how this post resonated with you, made you reflect on your work differently, and any questions you have about ethics & reflective practice.
*Spike Lee receiving his Academy Award in 2018 for his film “BlacKkKlansman”