Question
What is reflective functioning?
Answer
Reflective functioning is basically the ability to reflect on what is happening in another person and what another person's behavior might be conveying as it relates to that person's underlying needs and emotions. So, reflective functioning is the opposite of labeling someone as bad or wrong. Reflective functioning is the thing that lets us go, "Hmm, if this parent is consistently showing up late to sessions, what might that be about?" Right? Versus, "Oh, this parent is showing up late to the session just because they don't care," right? So reflective functioning helps us look inside a behavior rather than judge the behavior as good or bad. So if this is ultimately one of the goals of what we want to promote within the caregivers and the parents we work with, then, whether or not this is easy, we must practice this ourselves as mental health professionals.
