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and ability to engage in reflective practice” (p.  355). Zahm describes reflective
practice as “deliberate, necessitating a conscious effort to examine one’s experi-
ences and integrate the resulting reflections into one’s approach to his or her prac-
tice” (p. 356). A key point here is not just thinking about a case or experience, but
using the insights you gain from your reflections to change your practice (build
skills). As discussed previously, other studies (Miranda et al. 2016 ; Runyon et al.
2010 ; Zahm, et al. 2016 ) have also emphasized the importance of reflection in the
professional development of genetic counselors. Self-reflection can also be a useful
strategy for preventing or managing burnout and/or compassion fatigue as dis-
cussed in Chap. 12.
Zahm ( 2010 ) offers several suggestions for optimizing reflective practice. These
include engaging in peer-group supervision, informal interactions with colleagues,
reading reflective literature, periodically taping and critiquing your own work, and
making time for reflective practice (pp. 369–372).

Difficult Issues/

Patient

Challenges

Defining and

Identifying

“Success”

Components of

Helping

Career

(dis)satisfaction

Current motivations

to practice genetic

counseling

Influences of

personal life

on professional

development

Turning points/

catalysts Definitions/views

of professional

development

Plans/goals/

concerns

re: professional

development

Memorable

Patients

Effects of

Memorable

Patients on

Clinical

Theme 1: Genetic

Counselors’ Evolving

Perceptions of Being a

Clinician and the

Relationship to Their

Clinical Work

Theme 2: Genetic

Counselors’ Evolving

Perceptions of Being a

Clinician in the Field and

the Relationship to Their

Professional Identity

Theme 3: Genetic

Counselors’ Evolving

Perceptions of Being a

Clinician in the Field

and the Relationship

to the Development

to the

Profession

Professional Development

Fig. 13.1 Visual representation of proposed model of genetic counselor development. The circles
represent the three themes. The squares represent the 11 domains. The arrows represent the mutual
influences among the themes in genetic counselor professional development. Source: Zahm et al.
( 2016 ). Reprinted with permission from the Journal of Genetic Counseling

13.5 Reflective Practice and Professional Development