Using Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle in Counselling and Psychotherapy

Reflection is a vital part of a counsellor’s professional development. It enables deeper self-awareness, improved decision-making, and enhanced client outcomes. One of the most widely used frameworks for structured reflection is Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle (1988). 

This six-stage model provides a clear and systematic approach to examining experiences, identifying learning points, and planning for future practice. 

For counsellors and psychotherapists, Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle can facilitate personal and professional growth by encouraging critical thinking, emotional awareness, and evidence-based practice. This article explores how to use each stage of the cycle effectively in counselling and psychotherapy. 

The first step in reflection is to describe the situation or event clearly.  

This includes: 

• The context of the session (e.g. client background, presenting issue). 
• Key interactions that occurred. 
• Any significant moments or challenges. 

Keeping the description concise and focused is essential, as it provides the foundation for deeper reflection. Avoid including unnecessary details that do not contribute to your analysis. 

This stage allows you to explore your emotional reactions to the event.  

Consider: 

• What emotions surfaced during the session? 
• How did these feelings affect your responses and interventions? 
• Were there any moments of discomfort or uncertainty? 

As you reflect, your feelings will likely impact the event and your perspective, so this stage is crucial to the reflective process. 

At this stage, critically assess the effectiveness of your approach: 

You will likely draw on the literature and appropriate references to support your evaluation. This will help you provide a more objective perspective on what worked well and what challenges arose. 

Evaluation helps you recognise strengths while identifying areas for development. It also encourages an honest assessment of your practice and highlights where adjustments may be needed. 

The Analysis stage is where deeper reflection occurs.  

This involves examining: 

• Why the session unfolded the way it did. 
• How different factors influenced the outcome. 
• What psychological theories or models can help explain the experience? 

At this stage, personal experience and theoretical perspectives meet. Analysis is a crucial element of the reflective process, helping you understand whether your experience aligns with or differs from existing research and theory. 

This stage summarises key takeaways from the experience.  

Ask yourself: 

• What have I learned from this session? 
• If faced with a similar situation, what would I do differently? 
• How has this reflection contributed to my professional growth? 

At this stage, you will also discuss the areas you feel went well, whether you would act similarly in future, or if there is anything you might do to improve upon your successes. 

The final stage involves planning how to apply learning to future practice. All positive actions you are considering due to your reflections should be outlined at this stage. This might include implementing strategies to avoid a similar outcome, focusing on a particular learning area, or consulting with a tutor or supervisor.  

Consider: 

• What specific strategies can I implement to improve my approach? 
• Do I need further training or supervision in a particular area? 
• How can I enhance self-care and emotional resilience?