“Research doesn’t fit in a 50-minute hour”: The phenomenology of therapists’ involvement in research at a university counseling center

Abstract

Psychotherapy science and the practice of psychotherapy do not always co-exist. Rather, tension has developed overtime between researchers and practitioners. This tension, however, has not eroded all links between science and practice. In fact, many therapists pursue careers in which they can engage in psychotherapy research. This phenomenological study was undertaken to understand the meaning therapists ascribe to being a part of psychotherapy research while being full-time clinicians. To accomplish this task, we interviewed ten therapists who work in a college counseling center where the intersection of research and practice is evident. Using a semi-structured protocol, each participant was individually interviewed about their experiences of engaging in research while being a practitioner. Analyses of interviews led to the identification and interpretation of 450 statements that were grouped into six themes: (a) Making Research Feasible; (b) Ubiquitous Nature of Research in the Center; (c) Benefits of Doing Research; (d) Impediments to Psychotherapy Science; (e) Psychotherapy Science Beyond Data Collection; and (f) Scientist-Practitioner Values and Identity. Results highlight the value of embedding research in clinical settings; however, the impediments to engaging in research while providing therapy were clear. Results are discussed in the context of practice-oriented research and integrating science and practice.