The Reflecting Team: A Training Method for Family Counselors

The reflecting team (RT) is an innovative method used in the training and supervision of family counselors. In this article, I trace the history, development, and current uses of RTs and review current findings on RTs. In my opinion, many users of RTs have diverged from their original theoretical principles and have adopted RTs mainly as a technique. Although some aspects of the RT technique (spatial separation and the generation of multiple perspectives) are novel, the potency of RTs is derived from the strength of the working alliance. Finally, I make specific recommendations on how to use RTs in the education and supervision of family counselors.