A Pluralistic Perspective on Research in Psychotherapy: Harnessing Passion, Difference and Dialogue to Promote Justice and Relevance

Abstract

The adoption of a pluralistic perspective on research design, processes of data collection and analysis and dissemination of findings, has the potential to enable psychotherapy research to make a more effective contribution to building a just society. A review of the key features of the concept of pluralism is followed by a historical analysis of the ways in which research in counselling, psychotherapy and related disciplines has moved in the direction of a pluralistic position around knowledge creation. Core principles of a pluralistic approach to research are identified and explored in the context of a critical case study of contemporary research into psychotherapy for depression, examples of pluralistically oriented research practices, and analysis of a pluralistic conceptualisation of the nature of evidence. Implications of a pluralistic perspective for research training and practice are discussed. Pluralistic inquiry that emphasises dialogue, collaboration, epistemic justice and the co-existence of multiple truths, creates opportunities for individuals, families and communities from a wide range of backgrounds to co-produce knowledge in ways that support their capacities for active citizenship and involvement in open democratic decision-making. To fulfil these possibilities, it is necessary for psychotherapy research to be oriented towards social goals that are sufficiently relevant to both researchers and co-participants to harness their passion and work together for a common good.

A grounded theory of improvisation in therapy: Lessons from decoloniality

“…A pluralistic attitude towards pre‐existing theory may support you in overcoming any ambivalence towards the literature. Versatility and openness towards a range of potentially applicable models help us to move beyond dogmatism and relativism (Smith et al, 2021). Evaluate the usefulness of theory by considering not only its compatibility with your data and its usefulness to practice but also its relationship to knowledge that has previously been silenced or delegitimised.…”

“…In regard to knowledge, I take a pluralist position that for research to be both useful and relevant, it must reckon with a horizontal multiplicity of perspectives (Smith et al, 2021). To be just, it must also seek to amplify knowledge that has hitherto been suppressed or delegitimised in society (Fricker, 2007).…”

Indigenization in clinical and counselling psychology curriculum in Canada: A framework for enhancing Indigenous education.

“…This Indigenization approach is in response to the epistemic injustice within psychology that tends to privilege scientific, biomedical, individualistic, and expert narratives (Rimke, 2016;White, 2020). One indigenizing approach to CCP research methods curriculum would broadly attend to epistemic pluralism (Ansloos et al, 2019;Smith et al, 2021) and two-eyed seeing . Epistemic pluralism invites many ways of knowing to engage in meaningfully constructed research.…”

Moving Prevention of Gambling Harm Upstream: Opportunities in Social Policy and Research

“…The vast majority of these evaluation studies are published in gambling journals whose audience is composed of psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health professionals, and treatment providers (Ibid., p. 39). However, the use of RCTs in the current paradigm of mental health research has been thoroughly criticised (McPherson et al, 2020;Smith et al, 2021), as opposed to more pluralistic views for the identification of best practices. Regarding, again, the use of scientific evidence by policy makers and the limitations faced by preventive initiatives, it is necessary to pose research questions that address more than just the basic 'what works'; it is essential that GD treatment evaluations are also able to answer "for whom, where, why, for what, and when" will the intervention be effective (Gargani & Donaldson, 2011).…”