Abstract
Content and FocusPsychotherapy is a field which is informed by several philosophical traditions especially positivism, contextualism, and more recently critical realism (Alvesson & Sköldberg, 2010; Pilgrim & Bentall, 1999). These separate paradigms are grounded in different ontologies and epistemologies and as a result adherents rely on different assumptions about the nature of knowledge. While these various philosophical traditions have enriched psychotherapy theory and practice, they have also produced conflict over which knowledge paradigm best represents the field. This paper examines the ontological and epistemological foundations of the debate and seeks to provide a pathway towards integration. To highlight the different philosophical assumptions the division between traditional research-based knowledge and practice-based knowledge will be explored. The philosophical scheme of noted scientist and philosopher Michael Polanyi will be promoted as the grounds for re-orienting and unifying our philosophical foundations.
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