Research Paper An interpretative phenomenological analysis into counselling psychologists' relationship with research: Motives, facilitators and barriers -a contextual perspective

Abstract

Background/AimsThe apparent tensions between the scientist-practitioner and the reflective-practitioner aspects of counselling psychology identity may underpin counselling psychologists’ relationship with research. This issue becomes vital at a time when research activity can assist survivability within a competitive context and the promotion of Counselling Psychology as a distinct professional discipline. The present study explores counselling psychologists’ subjective experience of research and their perceptions of what may motivate, facilitate or hinder their engagement with it, whilst considering the context within which research activity takes place.MethodologyThe present paper presents the second, qualitative part of a larger mixed-methods research project investigating the relationship of chartered counselling psychologists with research. Data was collected through individual, semi-structured interviews with four chartered counselling psychologists (two residing and practicing in Greece and two residing and practicing in the UK), and was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).FindingsThree superordinate themes emerged from the data: ‘Stance/attitudes towards research’; ‘Research activity and inactivity’; and ‘Contextual dimensions of research’. A discussion of the subthemes revealed the role of ambivalence, counselling psychology identity and the interplay between internal and contextual factors in determining counselling psychologists’ involvement with research post-qualification.DiscussionA number of implications and recommendations for training institutions, professional organisations and the British Psychological Society are presented that could help promote the development and implementation of research-friendly environments within the field of counselling psychology, in order to enhance counselling psychologists’ relationship and engagement with research in the long term.