Thinking with theory to develop practice

This paper presents a scholarship of practice development, that is, an academic/practice partnership, within a participatory action research study. Three teams of mental health occupational therapists and an occupational therapy academic used a group reflective supervision process to support the development of the skills and tools needed to integrate a conceptual practice model. Some of the opportunities and challenges experienced as a result of using this approach are highlighted. The preliminary findings demonstrate that group reflective supervision has provided a valuable space for reflection on practice and enabled therapists to change aspects of their practice as a consequence of thinking with theory.