The Power of Reflective Practice in a Changing Field: How to Grow with Intention
I didn’t leave academia because I stopped loving it. I left because I needed room to practice what I had been preaching.
For years, I taught graduate students to think critically, question norms, and center the lived experiences of clients. But behind the scenes, I saw how systems—whether academic, clinical, or bureaucratic—often rewarded conformity more than courage. I watched colleagues burn out trying to advocate for equity inside structures that weren’t built for change. And I knew I had to make something different.
That’s how The Big Picture SLP began—with a decision to create a consulting and clinical space rooted in curiosity, reflection, and justice-driven care.
Now, as our field faces rapid shifts—rising awareness of neurodiversity, AI’s entrance into therapy spaces, and the long-overdue reckoning with ableism—our capacity to reflect, adapt, and act with intention has never been more critical.
🔍 Why Reflective Practice Still Matters
Reflective practice isn’t a luxury. It’s a professional responsibility. In a field that changes fast and often, the only constant is our need to examine ourselves. It’s how we keep our work ethical, human-centered, and impactful.
Reflection helps us:
Update outdated approaches
Interrupt unexamined biases
Adapt to client and family needs in real time
Stay grounded in our values
But it’s also deeply personal. Reflecting can mean owning our blind spots—and choosing growth over comfort.
✨ Reflective Prompts for Clinicians
Here are a few questions I return to often, and invite you to explore in your work:
When was the last time I updated my approach to behavior goals, AAC access, or pragmatic language?
What implicit norms about “normal” communication show up in my therapy sessions?
Am I using AI or automation in ways that honor—or override—client voice and identity?
Whose feedback have I invited lately—colleagues, clients, or caregivers?
If I had to defend my current caseload practices at an ethics roundtable, what would I say—and what might I change?
The goal here isn't guilt—it's growth. These questions are starting points, not finish lines.
🌱 Mentorship: Reflective Practice in Action
One of the most rewarding parts of launching The Big Picture has been mentoring other SLPs, students, and researchers who want to lead with thoughtfulness and care. Here’s what some of them have shared:
“Katrina helped me reframe my entire approach to research design. It was never about perfection—it was about asking better questions.”
— Doctoral Student, Boston University
“Working with The Big Picture gave me the language and confidence to challenge ableist assumptions in our school team meetings.”
— School-Based SLP, Buffalo, NY
“Katrina doesn’t just teach reflection—she models it in everything she does. She held space for me to rethink what kind of clinician I want to be.”
— Clinical Fellow, California
Mentorship, like reflection, isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being brave enough to ask the right questions, together.
📣 A Call to Grow with Intention
If you’re feeling the tension of change in our field, you’re not alone. And if you’re wondering how to meet that change without losing your values, you’re in the right place.
The Big Picture SLP offers mentorship, consulting, and continuing education that centers ethics, equity, and reflection—because better care starts with better questions.
📅 Ready to get started?
Book a mentorship consult or download free reflective tools at bigpicturespeechlanguageservices.com
Let’s grow—on purpose.