Food for Thought: The Integrated Practitioner

Everything that exists, exists against a background. All of our  experiences, beliefs and understandings of health practice derive from a  living, organic and constantly moving context: whether scientific,  philosophical, cultural, aesthetic, biological or spiritual. It is  useful therefore to spend a little time understanding and reflecting on  these building blocks of who we are. As practitioners, we don't always  have time to do this...A little luxury...not essential, but hopefully a  bit nourishing. Like a fireside cup of cocoa. - Justin Amery This  extraordinary new series fills a void in practitioner development and  well-being. The books take a reflective step back from the tick-box,  target-driven and increasingly regulated world of 21st century health  practice; and invite us to revisit what health and health practice  actually are. Building carefully on the science and philosophy of  health, each book addresses the messy, complex and often chaotic world  of real-life health practice and offers an ancient but now almost  revolutionary understanding for students and experienced practitioners  alike: that health practice is a fundamentally creative and  compassionate activity. The series as a whole helps practitioners to  redefine and recreate their daily practice in ways that are healthier  for both patients and practitioners. The books provide a welcome  antidote to demoralisation and burn-out amongst practitioners, reversing  cynicism and reviving our feeling of pride in, and our understanding  of, health practice. By observing practice life through different  lenses, they encourage the development of efficiency, effectiveness and,  above all, satisfaction. The fifth book in this series, The Integrated  Practitioner: Food for Thought, written for readers who prefer a more  academic and reflective understanding of the themes of books 1-4.