Using Multiple Exercises to Integrate Skills and Habits of Mind

Dr. Margaret McAllister, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia

Dr. McAllister reminds us in this very rich chapter that while students or clinicians will use the full range of critical thinking skills in a practice exercise, some of the best teaching sessions are focused in one skill area. The exercise in this chapter requires students to use the critical thinking skill of analysis, using a rich assortment of teaching methods. Not forgotten are the critical thinking habits of mind that prove so needed for a fair-minded analysis of the problems presenting to  patients who self harm. This chapter includes multiple  creative and well integrated reasoning exercises that require students to apply mental health content in a clinical relevant context. The connection between using critical thinking skills and making a well-grounded clinical judgment is evident.