Special Section, Counselling Psychology: A review of the scientist‐practitioner model: Reflections on its potential contribution to counselling psychology within the context of current health care trends

Abstract

Recent legislative changes in the National Health Service have resulted in the need to develop practices that are 'evidence-based'. The move away from opinion and experience in therapeutic decision-making towards use of research in service planning poses challenges to the identity, activities and roles of counselling psychologists. This highlights the need for a clearly articulated framework of professional activity to protect and enhance the future of the profession. The scientist-practitioner model is one such framework and despite its contentious history, it is argued that the difficulties traditionally associated with its implementation are largely owing to an outdated view of scientific activity which relies on a positivist philosophy of science. These themes are developed by exploring the historical context in which the scientist-practitioner model evolved and by drawing upon psychological models of identity, change and loss. A more contemporary meta-theoretical construction of science and scientific activity is also explored which offers a reformulation of the scientist-practitioner model that could complement the quest for evidence-based practice and is consistent with the philosophical underpinnings of counselling psychology. Critical questions for future research in this area are identified.

‘The power of being seen’: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of how experienced counselling psychologists describe the meaning and significance of personal therapy in clinical practice

“…Whilst aligning itself with a scientistÁpractitioner paradigm (Corrie & Callahan, 2000), which emphasises the importance of an empirical basis for theory and practice, it also places a high value on the use of the self, and on understanding the interplay of subjective and intersubjective factors within the therapeutic relationship. These latter concerns have been the basis on which the training criterion of personal therapy has been established within counselling psychology.…”

Counselling and professionalism: A phenomenological analysis of counsellor experience

“…According to Clarkson (1995), the socio-economic, political and cultural forces affecting the helping professions arguably be separated from the economics, politics and social contexts that underscore professionalism (Corrie & Callahan, 2000).…”

“…Where once counselling rested purely upon a foundation of respect for personal subjectivity and the phenomenological understanding of human experience, therapeutic outcomes and quality assurance initiatives imply the need for a marriage between research and practice (Corrie & Callahan, 2000), a union which, according to McLeod (2001) is responsible for "significant periods within the evolution of counselling and psychotherapy" (p. 3). Hence, by placing this paper within the context of counselling psychology, the intention is to extend and support the experience of therapists through research and consequently to foster dialogue with practitioners that engenders reflection and developments within the world of counselling.…”

Key Concepts From Health Promotion Evaluations: What Psychology Needs to Know

“…Rather than reinventing the wheel, psychology can look at 'piggybacking' on already existing programs and resources and adding dimension to evaluations. Corrie and Callahan (2003) propose that the scientist-practitioner model might unite stakeholders around common dilemmas.…”