Trainee Prize Award Winner Practice-based research and counselling psychology: A critical review and proposal

Abstract

Content and FocusThis narrative literature review critically considers the relationship between practice-based research and counselling psychology. Its starting-point is contexts where gaps between psychotherapy research and practice have been identified. Developments in practice-based research, and the extent to which counselling psychology appears engaged in these, are then explored. Contexts in which practice-based research is conducted are considered, with particular focus on the practice-research network. The challenges associated with practice-research networks, in particular, the issue of practitioner involvement, are highlighted. These issues, relating both to counselling psychology’s engagement in practice-based research, and practitioners’ engagement in practice-research networks, suggest an exploration of the role of practitioner research training. Empirical literature relating to current counselling psychology research training programmes is reviewed. Recently, in the US and in Europe, a model of ‘practice-based research training’ has emerged as the next generation of practice-research network. Practice-based research training, as its name implies, involves the close integration of the activities of clinical practice, research and training. Examples of practice-based research training initiatives are outlined.ConclusionThis paper aims to highlight the importance and relevance of practice-based research to counselling psychology in the UK and beyond. Practice-based research training is proposed as a highly promising paradigm for counselling psychology, with potential to ameliorate the gaps, deficits and challenges reported in this review.