Research has a very important base in counseling. The research on counseling can ultimately determine a client’s success or failure in therapy. It is also essentially important for the therapist to be aware of the client’s world views, culture, social justice, and contextual being. This literature explains the importance of research, in relation to client’s success in therapy. There have been several research locations across the world that engages therapists in several research methods. There are several questionnaires and tests that act as a method in determining the basis of research in counseling. This literature goes on to express the particular areas of research, and how it determines the client’s success, failure, and how the client is a part of the research during therapy.
The client’s demographic information was used in determining which research tool is most helpful according to need. Some individuals will view the ease of one study versus the other, and vice versa. The client’s knowledge of who they are as an individual, and the way they understand the data presented will determine which research tool best aids them in behavioral therapy.
Each participant were previous clients at a counseling and psychotherapy research clinic associated with a large UK university, seen in either two research protocols (Elliot, 1991). One protocol involved a general sample of clients seen by postgraduate students in counseling psychology or counseling; the other protocol was an open clinical trial of Person-Centered-Experiential (PCE) therapy for clients with social anxiety protocols (Elliot, 1991). Clients were recruited through a variety of media in public locations. In both protocols clients offered free sessions of PCE therapy, up to 40 sessions for the general sample and 20 sessions for clients with social anxiety protocols (Elliot, 1991).
In exchange for free counseling, clients were asked to participate in various research procedures (assessment and follow-up interviews, questionnaires, and audio/video recording) protocols (Elliot, 1991). The clients were not to be in therapy, no substance abuse, mental health issues, or violence issues. Clients in the social anxiety study were labeled with a social anxiety disorder. The theoretical sampling procedures from grounded theory were incorporated (Corbin & Strauss, 2008).
The client demographics included 17 participants in this study; 10 from the general protocol and seven from the social anxiety protocol, and the ages range between 20 and 56. (Elliot, 1991). There were 11 females and 6 males, 9 full-time employed, 2 part-time employed, and 3 were unemployed Caucasian American individuals (Elliot, 1991).
The results of the study revealed the tools in this research study were based upon the Personal Questionnaire, Client Interviews, and the Helpful Aspects of Therapy Form. Some of the less positive tools in this research study were the Questionnaires, Working Alliance, and a small percentage of individuals viewed Interviews, Helpful Aspects of Therapy Form of Therapy as less productive in some individuals. Overall, the Personal Questionnaire and the Helpful Aspects of Therapy were viewed majority as the most helpful tools in this research study. There were clearly several individuals who viewed one research study more helpful than the other. The basis of the demographics also played a role in the selected helpful research tool(s).
This research reflects the hypothesis above. It is very important for the therapist to consider that individuals are unique. This literature views how varying research tools were used among individuals, and the relationship it showed to be most effective during the therapeutic process. The therapeutic process should be ethical by incorporating client rights, social justice, cultural and contextual being, and world views. Each tool shall be a measure suitable for the needs of each client.
Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2008). Basics of qualitative research. London: Sage.
Elliott, R. (1991). University of Toledo: Investigating significant therapy events. Psychotherapy research: An international review of programmatic studies. In L.E. Beutler & M. Crago, Psychotherapy research: An international review of programmatic studies (pp.234–242). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
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