Enjoying Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvi

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2. Introduction: Considering Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Research

   • Alistair McBeath, Sofie Bager-Charleson

   Pages 1-12

3. Doing Qualitative Research

   • Sofie Bager-Charleson

   Pages 13-35

4. Doing Phenomenological Research. Dwelling with the Mystery

   • Rupert King

   Pages 37-50

5. Doing Qualitative Research with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

   • John Barton

   Pages 51-69

6. Becoming a Narrative Inquirer

   • Kim Etherington

   Pages 71-93

7. Doing Constructivist Grounded Theory Research

   • Elvis Langley

   Pages 95-114

8. Ethical Research? Examining Knotty, Moment-to-Moment Challenges Throughout the Research Process

   • Linda Finlay

   Pages 115-135

9. Doing Qualitatively Driven Mixed Methods and Pluralistic Qualitative Research

   • Nollaig Frost, Deborah Bailey-Rodriguez

   Pages 137-160

10. Doing Quantitative Research with Statistics

    • Alistair McBeath

    Pages 161-173

11. Doing Quantitative Research with a Survey

    • Alistair McBeath

    Pages 175-193

12. Doing Quantitative Research with Outcome Measures

    • Charlie Duncan, Barry McInnes

    Pages 195-212

13. Doing Mixed Methods Research. Combining Outcome Measures with Interviews

    • Alan Priest

    Pages 213-238

14. Understanding Randomized Control Trial Design in Counselling and Psychotherapy

    • Megan R. Stafford

    Pages 239-264

15. Navigating the Landscape of ‘Evidence’ in Research

    • Emma Broglia, Louise Knowles

    Pages 265-278

16. Back Matter

    Pages 279-293

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This textbook provides a guide to the development of a rigorous and creative research-supported practice for students, practitioners, and researchers in counselling and psychotherapy. With an emphasis on critical thinking and “research mindedness”, it introduces practical research skills and links them to self-awareness and critical reflection. 


Learning how to creatively and effectively use oneself in the treatment process is an essential component in therapy training and this level of self-awareness has long been a neglected area in research – until now. With examples ranging from private therapeutic practice to psychiatric related research, each chapter combines ‘how-to-do-it’ advice with illustrative real-life examples. The authors outline the use of a broad range of research methods, embracing Arts- as well as RCT-based research, and covering qualitative, quantitative, pluralistic and mixed methods approaches. 


Whether you are engaging with research for the first time or already developing your own research projects, if you are a student at diploma level or taking a Postgraduate research course for counsellors, psychotherapists and counselling psychotherapists, this is essential reading for anyone looking for a book that combines self-awareness with analytical and practical skills.

 

• Psychotherapy research
• Grounded Research
• Practitioner Research
• Research methods
• Reflective Practice
• RCT-based research
• Phenomenological Research
• Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
• Narrative research
• mixed methods research in psychotherapy
• Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy
• pluralistic research methods
• research design in Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Ethical Research
• Quantitative research with a Survey
• Quantitative research with Statistics
• Quantitative research with Outcome measures
• Arts-based research

“Starting with a fantastic title, this book defies well-worn preconceptions about research. The book demonstrates that research can be enjoyable, that qualitative and quantitative methods are not at loggerheads with each other, and that research can be both rigorous and creative. Reading this book inspires the reader to approach research in the spirit of curiosity and commitment to improving psychological practice, as something that has meaning and purpose beyond the academy.” (Carla Willig, Professor of Psychology, City, University of London, UK) 

​“This book supports the development of our next generation of counselling researchers. Written is clear and understandable language, with engaging case studies, it allows exploration of a range of counselling methodologies, from specific qualitative approaches to quantitative and mixed methods, ending with a recent example of a randomised control trial. It is current, drawing on research in areas of interest to counsellors today and fills the current gap for a textbook providing a comprehensive approach to successfully completing counselling and psychotherapy research. Covering the principles of research, as well as some of the detail required for those wishing to consider research at a higher level, it provides an excellent resource for students studying research at all levels of counselling and psychotherapy. I will be recommending it to my MSc and PhD students.” ((Dr Jeannette Roddy, Jeannette Roddy, Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy, University of Salford, UK) 

“I congratulate the editors and authors of this important book. It is filled with insights into the breadth and depth of research frameworks and methodologies. The book can contribute to the promotion and shaping of high quality practitioner-friendly research. Well done.” (Michael Helge Rønnestad, Professor emeritus, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway) 

“This timely new book beautifully and critically reflects knowledge and insights on a range of research frameworks and methodologies.  The editors and authors are to be congratulated on offering and summing up multiple perspectives that empower therapists, research teachers and researchers alike. It offers essential tools to engage in research and developing or sharpening key research skills. ‘Enjoying Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy’ will take its place as a key text for many years to come, particularly as the psychotherapy and counselling professions are increasingly valuing both evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence.” (Professor Divine Charura, UKCP Research group, Director of the Counselling Psychology Doctorate, York St John University, UK) 

“Enjoying Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy’ lives up to its title and  is a pleasure to read! The book is aimed and counsellors and psychotherapists and it clearly speaks to this audience informing about different methodologies and encouraging in equal measure. It is very clearly written, and yet it succeeds in communicating complexity and richness of psychotherapy research methods. I would recommend it as essential reading to all research students and novice researchers.” (Dr Biljana van Rijn, Psychotherapist and a Faculty Head of Research and Doctoral programmes, Metanoia Institute, UK)

 

• Metanoia Institute, London, UK

  Sofie Bager-Charleson, Alistair McBeath

Sofie Bager-Charleson is Director of Studies on the MPhil/PhD in Psychotherapy at the Metanoia Institute, UK, and a BACP and UKCP registered psychotherapist and supervisor. She chairs the research group “Therapists as Research Practitioners (TRP)” and is the co-founder of the annual Metanoia Research Academy for practitioners. Sofie’s research focuses on professional development of psychotherapists, specialising in psychotherapy research, reflexivity, reflective practice and personal development. 


Alistair McBeath is Doctoral Research Supervisor at the Metanoia Institute and the New School of Counselling and Psychotherapy, UK. He is a Chartered Psychologist and BACP and UKCP registered Psychotherapist. Alistair considers himself to be a researcher-practitioner and is keen to promote this identity within the psychotherapy profession. He also works for an Edinburgh based therapeutic consultancy and is a member of the Editorial Board of the European Journal for Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy.

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