Social Work And Reflexive Self

Additionally, Wong mentions the importance of mindfulness in being fully present with the body and mind. Mindfulness elicits feelings of discomfort through being conscious of habitual mental reactivity to issues of domination and oppression (Wong, 2004). This discomfort becomes transformative in enhancing learning and growth to address discomforts rather than unconsciously dismissing them (Wong, 2004). Utilizing mindfulness, Palumbo creates a space for herself and participants to sit on their discomfort of the social work and activist model in a constructive manner that uncovered underlying factors at play. Through Palumbo’s mindful approach, she was able to address the discomforts and addressing them rather than our human tendency to disregard them.

Participants engaged in Palumbo study displayed hesitation regarding the relationship between social work and activism. Many who opposed either practices were guided by dominant discourses as credence that they were disconnected from each other. As these

They further expand on the idea that social work identity is improved when social workers allow themselves to be in a state of disassembly in the presence of the other (Miehls &, Moffatt, 2000). The ability to comprehend themselves as complicated and dialogical beings, they are more susceptible to the influence of the other (Miehls & Moffatt, 2000). Engaging in radical reformulation allows workers to experience the discomforts of differences and work on the self through a reflexive disposition to practice (Miehls & Moffatt, 2000). Palumbo engaged in conversations that allowed participants to reflect on their constructions of self and perception on others. In a similar sense, participants were asked to deconstruct the sanctity of identity categories and fixed ideas to come in a space where they were able to question their presumed notions of their