Written by: Becky Beaton-York, PhD, Founder & Director of The Knowledge Tree
As the calendar winds down, many clinicians move quickly to administrative closure: wrapping up notes, updating renewals, scheduling last sessions, etc. Yet the quieter work, reflection, often falls to the bottom of the list. Reflection is more than just self-care. It’s an ethical act, integral to maintaining competency, integrity, and self-awareness. The APA Ethics Code reminds us that self-monitoring and ongoing professional development are core components of ethical practice. The end of the year offers a natural invitation to pause and take stock. Reflection doesn’t need to be complicated or elaborate …in the simplest way, it is the act of slowing down enough to notice.
Some prompts that I have found helpful as I reflect:
- Which professional boundaries felt tested this year? Which may need adjusting?
- Where have I minimized fatigue or frustration, or other things, when I should have addressed them?
- What new learning has shifted how I conceptualize clients or systems?
- Where might new learning opportunities, supervision, or consultation help bring a new perspective to my practice?
- Are there any patterns that have emerged?
Reflection is also a community act. Peer groups, supervision teams, or even informal colleague check-ins can help normalize reflection, making it part of your professional DNA. Talking openly about the emotional labor of therapy can help strengthen collective understanding and resilience.
Reflection without integration risks staying abstract. You may wish to choose one theme that surfaced and set an intention for the coming year, maybe fewer evening sessions for self-care, more systems in place to feel less scattered, or a renewed focus on the kind of work that fits with your sense of purpose. Ethics aren’t only about compliance; they’re about fidelity to the work we do and, more importantly, to ourselves as instruments of healing.
About The Knowledge Tree
The Knowledge Tree, led by Dr. Becky Beaton-York, offers continuing education created for clinicians who want training that’s practical, ethical, and genuinely energizing. Becky is a licensed psychologist, a nationally recognized speaker, and the founder of The Knowledge Tree. She’s trained thousands of therapists across the country and now guides Summit’s Behavioral Health Content and Curriculum with a focus on meaningful, evidence-based learning.
Whether you’re supporting people through trauma, navigating complex clinical decisions, or looking for new ways to grow in your work, The Knowledge Tree provides courses that help you stay current, confident, and connected. Explore upcoming behavioral health programs and see what’s launching soon at
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