The Relevance of Counseling Outcome Research: Current Trends and Practical Implications

Abstract

This systematic review investigated current trends in the publication sources, research focus, and methods of 365 counseling outcome studies. The results suggest that outcome research can provide a considerable knowledge base regarding numerous client concerns and various clinical interventions in individual, career, and school counseling. Counseling practitioners with a thorough knowledge of outcome research methods who use the findings appropriately will find this literature a useful adjunct to clinical decision making. Suggestions for improving the use of counseling research are offered for both practitioners and researchers.

Practice and Research in Career Counseling and Development—2001

“…Although conceptual discussions can provide useful information to practitioners, these articles provide little accountability information that can convince external audiences of the merits of career interventions. Our finding of comparatively few outcome studies is consistent with Sexton's (1996) finding that there are decreasing numbers ofcareer outcome studies being published. We encourage more career counseling outcome research because we believe there will be increasing demands to document the effectiveness ofcareer counseling and services.…”

Statistical Significance and Reliability Analyses in Recent Journal of Counseling & Development Research Articles

“…As Sexton (1996) noted in a recent JCD article, For [counseling] research to be useful, studies must incorporate the basic elements of an appropriate research design, relevant measures, and methodological improvements currently advocated in the literature (pp. 598599).…”

Counseling psychology: a view of the scientific production in the brazilian postgraduation

“…As a recurrent feature in all mentioned researches, it is noted the critical reflection around the advisor, the formation, preparation and supervision what contribute to characterize the counseling psychology area along with outline its boundaries 3,[6][7] . Highlighting the advisor's training in those productions allow stressing one of the main counseling psychology assumptions regularly observed by Brazilian researchers in their interventions, which are the attitude and behavior of whom offer help.…”

“…Due to the historical relevance, in our contemporary society, counseling psychology field has developed from stated experiences overall in the formation of new psychologists, in curricular trainings, basic trainings, community projects [5][6][7] , besides psychological care attendance. Inspired on counseling psychology assumptions, on call service offers a reception and a space for listening at the moment the subject needs help, hence the professional is available for that emergence psychological aid.…”