Press Reviews

• Nurturing Potential/Potential Unleashed

  This book states on the cover that it is aimed at professionals who work with children but also parents and carers... Dr. North's style is conversational in tone which makes this a very accessible book... it is not so much a book about learning techniques; rather it is about learning another way of thinking about the work we do with the children in our care... by the end of the book I felt I had learned a lot and gained some insights which I can take directly into my practice....I would recommend it enthusiastically to professionals, parents and carers who want to understand more about themselves and the young people they work with and care for.

• David Howe, Emeritus Professor of Social Work, University of East Anglia, Norwich

  Inspired by Dan Siegel's celebration of the mindful therapist, Joanna North's book usefully explores ways in which parents and practitioners can develop ways of being mindful of their own selves as they engage and connect with children whose histories have been blighted by disadvantage and distress. She rightly points out that the more we understand the complexities of our own minds as well as the minds of the children with whom we relate, the more likely it will be that they, too, will develop selves that are reflective and well regulated. This book is heartfelt as well as mindful, full of ideas and advice for parents, carers and child welfare professionals alike.

• Chris Taylor, Clinical Service Manager, Bryn Melyn Care, UK, with special interests in attachment disorganization and mentalization

  This useful and practical book is based on a simple, yet powerful idea: as children's minds mirror their mental and emotional environment, those of us who support troubled children can do so best if we are reflective and mindful of our own minds. Thinking about our own thinking and knowing how we function in response to life's events creates a more constructive and conscious environment for a developing child. Writing in a wonderfully reflective style that is entirely congruent with the message about the practical importance of reflection, Dr North integrates different theoretical perspectives and provides building blocks of information to promote mindfulness and practical exercises to help us further develop reflective practice.

• Simon Howard, Senior Lecturer in Social Work and CPD, Nottingham Trent University, UK

  I recommend this book as a core text in systemic practice. It is an impressive accessible book, which for me says all the things I know and some I had forgotten about, in a focused and informative way. This would certainly help you order your thoughts as a busy practitioner and reflect. For practitioners, it is a social work energiser for direct work!

• Dr Kerry Audin, consultant clinical psychologist

  Children & Young People Now

  This book takes what is known about the value of reflective practice, drawing on the principles of mindfulness, and applies it directly to the world of residential childcare. The approach is strongly underpinned by relevant theory, including attachment, child development, trauma, social pedagogy, social learning theory, neuropsychology, neurobiology and, of course, mindfulness... every children's home should have access to a copy of this book. The deeper reflection that will be prompted will be hugely valuable for frontline care staff providing a supporting role to teams via supervision, training or consultation. This guide will help practitioners make a case for creating and protecting valuable reflection time, both individually and as a team... In summary, this book clearly sets out what reflective practice is and how to implement it in real terms, underpinned by information about why it is important and how it will help practitioners and the children they care for.

• Maria McGloughlin, Social Worker, Child and Family Agency, Dublin South Central

  IASU (Irish Association of Social Workers)

  It is an extremely useful tool in assisting reflective practice. This is a thin book and written in a light accessible style... This book is a highly welcome and useful publication that will assist a wide variety of professionals and people who come into contact with children who have experienced trauma... I strongly recommend that this book be read by social workers, social carers and everyone who has contact with children whether traumatised or not... This book provides the reader with practical and useful tools.

• Sarah Sivers, Educational Psychologist, Kent Educational Psychology Service

  Debate - British Psychological Society

  This is first and foremost a book about reflective practice with mindfulness as an important starting point to an individual's ability to be reflective... is thoughtful and thought provoking... this book would be a useful resource for any professionals working with children, at any level of experience, who want to develop a more reflective approach to their practice and as a reminder of why this is such an important aspect of our work with vulnerable children and young people.