A Plea for Mixed Methods Research in the Field of Counseling

Abstract

We need more research in counseling if we want to strengthen counseling as a profession and if we want to implement counseling in mental health systems. Thus, the research should be multiple dimensional. This chapter is a plea for mixed-methods research (MMR) designs in the field of counseling. Even if MMR is very elaborate, it is worth doing. By way of example, I would like to briefly outline three of my projects, using MMR. The first one is a mixed methods research study on the video-based counseling method Marte Meo. The second project is one concerning genograms. Genograms are an integral part of therapy and counseling. The third MMR project is an elaborate research project which we carry out on behalf of the “Deutsche Gesellschaft für Beratung”, the German National Association for Counseling (Member of the European Association for Counseling, EAC, and the International Association for Counseling, IAC) to develop a German qualifications framework for Counseling—in the context of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). Finally, I refer to Guetterman et al. who provide some empirical evidence for researchers who wish to take full advantage of mixed methods to address pressing clinical and public health issues.