Research in Psychotherapy Training: Clinical Implications.
This research aims to look at the impact, if any, of engaging in a research project as
part of a psychotherapy training. The introduction of a research module as a core part
of clinical training is a relatively new phenomenon within psychotherapy training in
this country. New graduates have not only designed and engaged in a piece of
research, but have also been made aware of large scale clinical studies and their
implications for practice. This study then aims to explore with recent graduates how
this immersion into the field of psychotherapy research has impacted upon them as
clinicians. Six graduates of a four year post-graduate training were interviewed on
their perceptions of research prior to commencing modules, their experience of the
research process and finally the impact they felt it has had on them as practitioners.
The overall ability to integrate this fundamental aspect of training will be looked at
alongside the challenges involved with conducting and completing a research project
on the self.
While much as been written about training from numerous perspectives, there is little
in the literature about how being engaged in research affects a student’s overall
training experience. This research in particular will pay attention to understanding the
benefits, synergies, conflicts, and tensions in combining research with such aspects of
psychotherapy training as personal therapy, case studies, supervision, classes and
college life.
Gráinne Donohue