reflection guide
What Is Gibbs’ Reflection Cycle?
Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle is a model that helps you reflect deeply on experiences in a clear, structured way. If you’ve heard of it, chances are, you’ve studied psychology, education, or other helping professions.
In psychology, both clients and clinicians are encouraged to engage in self reflection. Why? Because it promotes greater self awareness and growth, which can help you reach your goals faster or process difficult experiences.
It’s important to note that while the structure ensures you examine an experience from all angles, to get the most out of it, make sure you are asking deeper questions.
If you stay surface level, you limit the level of insights you can gain.
Read through a detailed breakdown of each step below, then download the blank template at the end to fill in your own reflection.
Quick tip: Gibbs works best when you move beyond just describing what happened and start analysing why it happened, what it revealed, and what you want to do differently next time.
The 6 Steps of Gibbs’ Reflection Cycle
What happened?
Briefly describe the situation or experience without over-analysing it yet.
Prompt questions:
- What happened?
- Where and when did it happen?
- Who was involved?
- What did you do?
- What was the outcome?
Sentence starters:
This experience took place when…
The situation involved…
My role in the situation was…
What happened was…
What were you thinking and feeling?
Reflect on your emotional response before, during, and after the experience.
Prompt questions:
- How did you feel at the time?
- What were you thinking?
- How did you feel afterwards?
- How do you feel about it now?
- How do you think others may have felt?
Sentence starters:
At the time, I felt…
I remember thinking…
Afterwards, I felt…
Looking back, I now realise…
What was good and bad about the experience?
Identify what worked well and what did not.
Prompt questions:
- What went well?
- What did not go well?
- What was helpful?
- What made the experience difficult?
- Were there any positive or negative responses from others?
Sentence starters:
One positive aspect of this experience was…
However, a challenge was…
What worked well was…
What could have been better was…
Why did things happen the way they did?
This is where you dig deeper and connect your experience to reasons, patterns, or theory.
Prompt questions:
- Why did the situation unfold this way?
- What factors influenced the outcome?
- What sense can you make of the experience?
- Did any skills, assumptions, or communication styles affect the situation?
- Can you link this to theory, research, or prior learning?
Sentence starters:
This may have happened because…
A key factor influencing the situation was…
This experience suggests that…
Linking this to theory/research, it could be understood as…
What else could you have done?
Reflect on what you learned and what you might do differently next time.
Prompt questions:
- What have you learned from this?
- What could you have done differently?
- What skills or knowledge do you need to improve?
- What would have led to a better outcome?
Sentence starters:
From this experience, I learned that…
In hindsight, I could have…
A more effective response may have been…
This situation showed me that…
What will you do next time?
Turn your reflection into a concrete plan for future practice.
Prompt questions:
- If a similar situation happened again, what would you do?
- What specific steps will you take?
- How will you improve your response?
- What support, knowledge, or preparation do you need?
Sentence starters:
If I faced a similar situation again, I would…
To improve, I plan to…
A practical step I can take is…
In future, I will aim to…
Download the Free Gibbs’ Template (Word)
If you want a blank version you can fill in yourself, you can download the template below.
Download Gibbs Template