Journey of Development
Intentional practice as a way of thinking and planning has been developed, refined and tested over a 12 year period.
While I have been a stubborn and dogmatic driver of its development, its current manifestation is the result of a iterative and participatory process that continues to this day. The thinking and concepts contained within these webpages is the result of numerous contributions and collaborations, which are too numerous to mention. I would like to acknowledge all contributors and partners; you know who you are.
My relenting approach to this developmental journey has been inspired and motivated through my lived experiences, and a 25 year career working with children with backgrounds of trauma in the roles of mentor, youth worker, residential care worker, program developer, wilderness therapy facilitator, clinical psychologist and researcher.
Across all of my roles I have always come back to the question:
How do we make a difference in the lives of the people we are entrusted to support?
- Have caused unintentional harm.
- Lacked clear purpose and intent in design and delivery.
- Were founded upon unhelpful intents or practice approaches.
- Achieved minimal overall impact.
- Have not embraced the nature of real world human complexity, nor were personalised to individual or community.
- Did not value local knowledge systems and wisdom in design and delivery.
- Were founded upon ‘quick-fix’ thinking, lacking evidence and rigour.
Through participatory reflection, supported through the deep thinking afforded by a PhD, the language and approach (lens) of ‘intent’ emerged. It was subsequently found to resonate with teachers, parents, practitioners, support workers, program developers, clinicians, evaluators and community personnel in a meaningful manner that drove high reflection to the design and delivery of care, support and programming.
Importantly, it was found to empower people and communities to integrate their wisdom/strengths with scientific and observed evidence. This feedback further drove the refinement, sophistication and testing journey.
All of us are entrusted to support and care for others. It is hoped that intentional practice and the content in these webpages may offer inspiration and guidance in this endevour.
By bringing a lens of awareness, intent, safety, evidence and impact to our work, we are in the best position to work together in ‘shared intent’ to grow thriving people and communities, and respond to the complexities our world faces.
Ivan Raymond, PhD
