Discussing and reflecting on one’s own activity via instruction to the double: the emergence of contradictions and occupational debates
Guidance counsellors’ practice is complex and requires reflective space-times in order to rethink their work. From the standpoint of historical and cultural psychology, reflection is understood as a reconfiguration of one’s relation to her or his activity. It is based on both collective and subjective dynamics. Using data produced in the context of an “instruction to the double” exercise, this analysis identifies the functions of the group, of discussions over professional norms, and more specifically of the contradictions that arise in the group in order to stimulate reflection and energize the feelings associated with work-related activity. For these guidance counsellors, collective reflections and debates surrounding their occupation helped forge an increasingly conscious subjective relationship with their work activity, in turn enabling them to consider new possibilities for action.