Submissions

Submission Preparation Checklist

As part of the submission process, authors are required to check off their submission's compliance with all of the following items, and submissions may be returned to authors that do not adhere to these guidelines.

The submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration (or an explanation has been provided in Comments to the Editor).
If the work has been made public in any way, it is the submitter's responsibility to share that with editor upon submission.
The author(s) has written permission to use all intellectual property (e.g., photos, assignment excerpts) belonging to someone else (e.g., students, clients, another publisher) contained in the submission.
The submission does not exceed 8,000 words.
The text adheres to APA 7 and the stylistic and bibliographic requirements outlined in the Submissions section of the Journal's website.
Digital object identifiers (DOIs) are provided for all references to which one has been assigned (hint: most major journals assign them).
URLs for the references that are publicly available (not behind a paywall) and do not have a DOI have been provided.
All Document Properties and identifying information have been removed from the manuscript.

Author Guidelines

INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS

REGISTER AS AN “AUTHOR”

To submit your reflection, you need to Register on the Reflections home page (www.rnoph.org) and follow the email instructions to activate your account.

After registering, login and hover over your username in the top, right corner of the home page, “View Profile,” and complete the details requested in the various tabs. Most importantly, click “Author” in the “Roles” tab so the “make a submission” link will be available under the “Submissions” tab on the home page when you are logged in.

FOR NARRATIVE AUTHORS

Reflections welcomes the following types of narratives, which have not appeared in or are not being considered for a referred publication:

A first-hand account of one or more authors’ experiences
An interview that highlights another person’s experiences
A review of one or more books in which their relevancy for the helping professions are integrated into a narrative of the author’s experiences

If the work being submitted to Reflections has been made public in any way, it is the submitter's responsibility to share that information and the reference with editor upon submission.

Guidelines for Writing a Successful Narrative

These guidelines will be used by reviewers to evaluate your manuscript:

Narrative: The author conveys interpersonal interactions, witnessed events, and felt experiences in a narrative format and is clear about the author(s)’ role (e.g. practitioner, recipient of service, teacher, field instructor, student, researcher, other).
Story: The author places the narrative within the context of a well-told story that helps readers discover new ways of thinking about the personal, the professional, and the political in our lives.
Portrayals: The author roots the narrative in the rich and detailed portrayal of key moments, examples, and vignettes that fully portray the interaction taking place between and among the people involved.
Context: The author places the reflection within an historical context, focusing on the present, and considering the implications of the narrative for the future.
References: The author uses references that might draw connections between the content and the published literature or that might assist the reader in understanding conceptual or theoretical conclusions about the nature of professional practice.
Conclusions: The author draws conclusions about the need for qualitative or quantitative research related to the issues arising from the narrative.

As you finalize your manuscript, use these guidelines to assess readiness for submission.

Prepare Your Manuscript

It may be helpful to look at articles in a published issue to use as examples of formatting. See, in particular, Kanary (2014) for more information about narrative style.

De-identify your manuscript. For example, use pseudonyms for persons and organizations that would identify you as author, and if you cite yourself, use Author instead of your name.

Manuscript length may vary from 1,200 up to 8,000 words.

Submit as a Word file, single-space, flush-left (non-justified) with a blank line between paragraphs.

Use 13-point Times Roman font.

On the first page, center and bold your Title.

Skip one line and put Abstract flush-left, followed by an abstract not to exceed 250 words.

Skip one line and put Keywords, followed by 4-5 keywords (separated by commas) that do not appear in your title.

Skip one line and begin your narrative.

Use APA 7 style for references but do not use headers, footers or page numbers.

Bold and center primary headings; bold and flush-left subheadings.

Avoid using footnotes or endnotes.

FOR POETS, ARTISTS & PHOTOGRAPHERS

Reflections authors and readers familiar with the mission of the journal are welcome to submit poetry, artwork, and photography that fit with the journal’s purpose. We welcome creative forms of expression that engage helping professionals in poetic and visual ways.

Guidelines for art, poetry, and photography submissions

Is original imaginative work which has not appeared in (or is being considered for) a refereed publication
Conveys a theme relevant to the helping professions
Portrays interpersonal interactions, witnessed events, or felt experiences in a creative format
Sparks engagement, reflection, and meaning-making
Contains a narrative paragraph that provides the reader with an understanding of what inspired the poet/artist/photographer to produce this creative expression

If the work being submitted to Reflections has been made public in any way, it is the submitter's responsibility to share that information and the reference with editor upon submission.

Prepare Your Submission

In your contextual narrative:

Be sure there is no identifying information such as your name or the name of someone featured in your expressive work.
At the beginning of your narrative, center and bold your Title.
Skip one line and begin your contextual paragraph that introduces your submission
If you have references in your paragraph, use APA 7 style, but do not use headers, footers or page numbers.
Avoid using footnotes or endnotes.

For poetry, submit as a Word file, single-space, flush-left (non-justified) with a blank line between your contextual paragraph and the poem.

For photography, submit a Word File in which your photograph has been embedded immediately following your contextual paragraph.

Artwork could include drawings, paintings, sculpture, collage, or any form of art that can be photographed and embedded in a Word File along with your contextual paragraph.

FOR ALL SUBMISSIONS

Submit Your Manuscript

From the Reflections home page, click the “Submissions” tab, click “make a new submission,” and follow the prompts.

Track Your Manuscript Through the Review Process

Once submitted, you will receive an automatically generated message from the Editor-in-Chief acknowledging receipt of your manuscript.

The editors will assess your manuscript to be sure it is ready to be sent out for review.

Once assessed as ready for review, your manuscript will be sent out for double-blind peer-review.

Publication decisions can take four to six months.

Once you have registered and submitted your reflection, you can login to track your manuscript’s status from your “Dashboard” (accessible by hovering over your username in the top, right corner of the home page) or by clicking “view your pending submissions" (under “Submissions” on the home page).

If you have a question, use the “Add Discussion” link in your submission record to communicate with the Editor of the Section to which you have submitted. If you need further assistance, contact the Editorial Leadership Team at reflectionseditorialteam@gmail.com.

Practice

This is a permanent section. Submissions to this section comply with the following overview.

Practice Section (Dr. Pat Gray, Editor): The process of being a practitioner or becoming a recipient of service can stimulate valuable narratives. For example, these narratives give voice to practitioners who work and advocate with individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities; participate in social justice and civic engagement work; or become recipients of service in the very systems in which they have practiced.

All articles published in this section are peer-reviewed.

Practicum Education

This is a permanent section. Submissions to this section comply with the following overview.

Practicum Education (Dr. Beth Lewis, Editor): The process of practicum advisement and instruction, as well as the experience of being a student in a practicum, can stimulate valuable narratives. For example, consider building narratives around insights gained from process recordings and verbatims or from supervisory relationships or other practicum experiences in which co-learning occurred.

All articles published in this section are peer reviewed.

Research

This is a permanent section. Submissions to this section comply with the following overview.

Research Section (Dr. F. Ellen Netting, Editor): Although Reflections does not publish research results or literature reviews, the journal has a long history of publishing narratives of the personal and/or interpersonal aspects of the research process. Some examples of research narratives could be sharing the author's experience of collaboration during the research experience, engaging in the research project, or sharing lessons learned from the research process.

All articles published in this section are peer reviewed.

Teaching & Learning

This is a permanent section. Submissions to this section comply with the following overview.

Teaching & Learning (Dr. Arlene Reilly-Sandoval, Editor): The process of teaching, or being a student, continues the journal's practice of publishing narrative accounts about education and training. For example, classroom experiences, teaching innovations, university-community partnerships, continuing education, and other formal learning opportunities offer valuable insight.

All articles published in this section are peer reviewed.

Navigating Change: Reflective Insights for Helping Professionals in Shifting Political Landscapes

Rationale

The political landscape of the United States continues to face unprecedented challenges in recent years, characterized by divisive rhetoric, heightened racial and social tensions, public health crises, and a deepening struggle for justice. These challenges—consisting of systemic racism, immigration disputes, healthcare inequities, police brutality, and threats to voting rights— profoundly affect the work of various helping professionals who work at the forefront of advocacy, intervention, and systemic change. As social work educators and practitioners at HBCUs, we draw upon our previous work in HBCUs Respond: Social Justice and Social Work Education in a Trump Era (2017, Estreet; Jones; and Freeman) to expand our exploration of social work’s role in these turbulent times.

In this turbulent context, helping professionals—including social workers, public health practitioners, healthcare administrators, legal advocates, educators, and community organizers—play pivotal roles in addressing the root causes of inequality, advocating for human rights, and promoting justice. As we continue to confront ongoing struggles for racial equity, reproductive rights, and protections for marginalized populations, this special section offers a platform to reflect on the resilience, innovation, and advocacy needed to navigate these shifting political landscapes.

This issue invites narratives that capture the complexities of working in politically charged environments where policies often worsen the vulnerabilities of marginalized communities. By reflecting on sharing these experiences, we aim to illuminate the collective strength and diverse approaches of helping professionals committed to justice and equity. By working collaboratively, these diverse professions amplify their impact, creating more comprehensive and sustainable solutions to systemic inequities

Aim and Scope of Special Section

This special section, This Time Around: Navigating Change: Reflective Insights for Helping Professionals in Shifting Political Landscapes, seeks submissions that highlight professionals across a wide range of disciplines. We aim to highlight how helping professionals adapt, advocate, and intervene in response to evolving political challenges. We particularly welcome submissions that demonstrate how interdisciplinary collaborations have enhanced outcomes for marginalized communities. From racial justice and police reform to healthcare disparities, voting rights, and civic engagement, this issue will highlight the strategies and insights that shape professional practice in these tumultuous times.

We encourage submissions that explore themes such as:

- Advocacy and ethical decision-making in politically charged contexts.

- Culturally responsive practices that address systemic inequities.

- Resilience and adaptability in promoting justice and human rights.

- Collaborative approaches across disciplines to confront social and political challenges.

This Special Section Focuses on Narratives From...

We welcome contributions from all helping professionals, including but not limited to:

Social workers
Counselors
Psychiatrists & Psychologists
Public health practitioners
Healthcare administrators and Clinicians
Legal advocates and Policymakers
Community organizers; and Educators

Submissions may include reflective essays (1,200–3,000 words) or in-depth narratives (up to 8,000 words). We encourage submissions that integrate theoretical frameworks with practical insights to inform future professional practices Authors are encouraged to share how their work mitigates harm caused by adverse political decisions, advocates for vulnerable individuals and communities, and fosters resilience and empowerment.

This issue will also honor the legacy of historically black colleges and universities, HBCUs in preparing professionals to lead with integrity and a commitment to justice while exploring the broader implications of policy shifts across disciplines.

References

Estreet, A. T., Jones, K., & Freeman, J. T. (2018). HBCUs Respond: Social Justice and Social Work Education in a Trump Era. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 23(2), 35–45. https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/1546

For inquiries about submissions for this Special Section, please contact Guest Editor:

Kenya C. Jones, PhD, LMSW, Clark Atlanta University, Associate Professor, Center for Interprofessional Collaboration and Education, C- ICE kjones1@cau.edu

Additional Guest Editors

Anthony T. Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW – C, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, National Association of Social Workers, NASW naswceo@socialworkers.org

James T. Freeman, PhD, LCSW, Associate Professor, Johnson C. Smith University, jtfreeman@jcsu.edu

Before submitting a manuscript, please review Instructions for Authors and other announcements on the Reflections home page. To submit, please visit http://www.rnoph.org, register as an author, login and submit to the Special Section on Navigating Change. For further instructions, see Submissions on the Reflections home page.

Copyright Notice

PUBLICATION AGREEMENT

SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY

REFLECTIONS: NARRATIVES OF PROFESSIONAL HELPING

BY SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT FOR CONSIDERATION OF PUBLICATION IN REFLECTIONS: NARRATIVES OF PROFESSIONAL HELPING (“Reflections”), YOU HEREBY AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

1. COPYRIGHT: If the manuscript you submit to this site (the “Manuscript”) is selected for publication in Reflections, the author(s) of the Manuscript hereby agree to transfer copyright of the Manuscript to Salem State University (SSU), including full and exclusive rights to reproduce the Manuscript in all media now known or later developed, including but not limited to electronic databases and microfilm, and in anthologies of any kind.

2. AUTHOR RE-USES OF MANUSCRIPT: As a professional courtesy, the author(s) retains the right to reprint the Manuscript again after publication in Reflections, in any work the author(s) is sole author, or in any edited work for which the author(s) is senior editor, though the author(s) is required to cite the Manuscript as a prior publication in “Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping.” No further permission is necessary in writing from SSU, nor will SSU require fees of any kind for this reprinting. This statement is intended to provide a copyright release for the purposes set forth in this Section 2, and a photocopy of this Publication Agreement may be used when another publisher requires a written release.

3. READER RE-USES OF MANUSCRIPT: The author(s) acknowledge that registered readers of Reflections and others with access to the Manuscript may use the Manuscript consistent with applicable law including, but not limited to Fair Use under 17 U.S.C. § 107.

4. AUTHOR WARRANTIES: The author(s) represent(s) and warrant(s):
a.) that the Manuscript is the author's (authors') own work;
b.) that the Manuscript has been submitted only to this journal and that it has not been previously published;
c.) that the Manuscript contains no libelous or unlawful statements and does not infringe upon the civil rights of others;
d.) that the author(s) are not infringing upon anyone else’s copyright.
e.) that the author(s) are responsible for any individual or organizational names that are mentioned in the Manuscript, as SSU disclaims responsibility for references to individuals, organizations, facts, and opinions presented by the published author(s) in the Manuscript.
f.) That the author(s) have taken care to ensure that the Manuscript does not contain any identifiable information about clients or patients except as pursuant to appropriate permissions and forms of informed consent as provided for in all relevant laws and codes of ethics.
g.) That the Manuscript in no way violates any individual’s privacy rights.

The author(s) agree that if there is a breach of any of the above representations and warranties that the author(s) will indemnify SSU, including the publisher and editor of Reflections, and hold them harmless.

5. AUTHOR RETENTION OF PATENTS: The author(s) may have, within the Manuscript, descriptions of the author's (authors') own proprietary patents. Nothing herein shall be construed as a transfer of any proprietary right in such patents. Accordingly, the author(s) retains all proprietary rights in any such patents described in the Manuscript, but such reservation in rights does not include ownership of the Manuscript, and SSU shall retain full and exclusive rights to the Manuscript as set forth herein.

6. NOTE FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES: Any Manuscript authored by a U.S. government employee(s) as part of the employee's official duties, must be noted with your submission.

7. JOINT WORKS: Any Manuscript written by two or more authors with the intention that the Manuscript will be merged into one inseparable or interdependent parts of a unitary whole are considered a “Joint Work” under § 101 of the U.S. Copyright Act. This Agreement must be signed by all contributing authors to any Joint Work.

8. “WORK FOR HIRE” AUTHORS: If the Manuscript was written by an author(s) who was hired by another person or company to do so, the manuscript is considered a “Work Made for Hire” under § 101 of the U.S. Copyright Act. This Agreement must be signed by the “employer” who hired the author(s), as well as the author(s).

9. NO AMENDMENTS: This form is not valid if the author(s) add(s) any additional constraints and amendments. Please submit the article elsewhere for publication if the author(s) do not sign the form without alteration.

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