The Specter of Metaphysics in Counseling Research and Practice: The Qualitative Challenge

Abstract

After decades of scientific research, the specter of metaphysics pervades and hinders virtually all aspects of counseling research, theory, and practice. Qualitative research is suggested as capable of coming to terms with such issues. This article notes that qualitative research will gain acceptance when it takes a significant step toward solving a major problem in the discipline. A tentative outline of an approach to metaphysical problems involving radical empiricism and phenomenology is provided. Along the way, some necessary cognitive shifts are delineated, involving dialectical and abductive reasoning processes.

Qualitative Methodology in Counseling Research: Recent Contributions and Challenges for a New Century

“…A review of the research carried out in this field shows that the large majority of the studies are framed in the quantitative paradigm. The last decade has witnessed slow growth in the publication of qualitative research articles despite increased recognition of its value (Hanna & Shank, 1995;McLeod, 2001;Merchant, 1997;Ponterotto, 2002).…”

“…Narratives are the primary form in which peoples' experiences take on meaning (Merchant & Dupuy, 1996), and tolerance for ambiguity is one of the most valuable qualities of a counselor (Merchant, 1997). By reason of their training, counselors are very attentive to ambiguity and the unpredictable nature of the processes of counseling; in the same way, qualitative researchers must have tolerance in order to deal with participants' testimonies, many times unpredictable and oftentimes surprising (Hanna & Shank, 1995). Researchers, too, must pay attention to the process and the content of their research focus, whereas counselors are trained to pay attention to the process and the content in counseling, including how the clients present themselves, what their feelings are, their tone of voice, underlying issues, hidden agendas, and what is the nature of the counselor-client interaction (Merchant & Dupuy, 1996).…”

“…Taking as a point of departure the claim of many authors (e.g., Goldman, 1989;Hanna & Shank, 1995;Hoshmand, 1989;Howard, 1986;Kleist & Gompertz, 1997;Loesch & Vacc, 1997;McLeod, 2001;Nugent, 2000;Peterson & Nisenholz, 1999) in regard to the little attention that has been given to qualitative research in the field of guidance and counseling, a content analysis of four professional journals was performed. The value of the content analysis strategy to review scientific and professional literature has been addressed by Buboltz, Miller, and Williams (1999) among others.…”

Cognitive Complexity: Differentiation and Integration in Counseling Practice and Training

“…Just as diagnosis relies on abductive reasoning (Corey, ), counseling theories use abduction, in a unique way, to translate clinical observations into formal explanations. As metaphysical frameworks that “attempt to provide a comprehensive, coherent account of the nature of reality, including the human being, beyond the reach of ordinary empirical verification” (Hanna & Shank, , p. 53), theories explain why people experience psychological conflict and prescribe methods for therapeutic change. Each theory is a template for translating client data into mental models that address why presenting concerns exist and how to address them.…”

Common Factors: Where the Soul of Counseling and Psychotherapy Resides

“…Our concern is that many current practices and "advancements" are driving soul out of psychotherapy. These practices are many and varied but include privileging quantitative and positivistic ways of knowing (Hanna & Shank, 1995;Roy, 1998), promoting manualized or standardized treatments (Fensterheim & Raw, 1996;Silverman, 1996), operating from within a medical model (Becvar, 1997;Wampold, 2001), exaggerating the contribution of the therapist as the agent of change , and focusing treatment on symptom removal (Fensterheim &Raw, 1996).…”