Introduction to a special section on practice-based research and counselling psychology

Abstract

To introduce this special section about practice-based research and counselling psychology, I first provide a brief overview of the discourses and methods of practice-based research in counselling psychology and psychotherapy fields. I then discuss each of the three papers appearing in this special section, before concluding with some further reflections on the questions and issues raised.

Conducting practice‐based research with a counsellor in private practice

“…An analysis by the authors of field research published in the New Zealand Journal of Counselling over the last 20 years found that, with very few exceptions, the approach involved thematic analyses of interviews, focus groups, diaries and personal stories. Qualitative research would seem to have a good fit with what Henton (2020) suggested were the perceptions counsellors have of the emotional complexity and subjectivity of their work. There is a caveat: qualitative research is an umbrella for ‘a vibrant and contested field’ (Brinkmann et al., 2014, p. 17).…”

“…It is not a given that counsellors will regard assessment of their counselling as worthwhile. Many may regard it as at odds with their understanding of the emotional complexity and inherent subjectivity of the counselling relationship (Henton, 2020). The challenge for any practice‐based research counsellor is to find an assessment of process and outcomes that is compatible with their counselling, has high face validity for the client and has proven sensitivity to shifts in the client's well‐being.…”

“…In contrast to experimental research, PBR evaluates counselling as it is conducted under real‐world conditions and does not always use control subjects, and its focus is typically professional development. Increased involvement in PBR by counsellors and counselling psychologists has been strongly promoted in the UK (see, for example, Henton, 2020) and the United States (see Koerner & Castonguay, 2015). PBR has usually focused on samples of clients rather than whole caseloads (Iwakabe et al., 2020) and often measured the effects of specific treatment programmes on selected clients (Wise, 2003).…”

“…Given these substantial numbers across several countries, the demand for accountability in mental health services (President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003) in what Leigh et al (2007, p. 463) called the 'era of accountability', the variability in effectiveness with clients (Castonguay, 2013;Kraus et al, 2011), the push for counselling services to be evidence-based (Gordon & Hanley, 2013;Goss & Rose, 2002;Whiston, 1996) and the call for practice-based research (PBR) as a way to improve outcomes (Barkham et al, 2010;Castonguay, 2013), one would expect there to have been numerous reported studies of self-employed counsellors in private settings, either by practitioners themselves or collaboratively with researchers. It is now over a decade since Lambert (2010, p. 239) declared 'it is time for clinicians to routinely monitor treatment outcome', and this still remains an unrealised goal, it seems (Henton, 2020;.…”