Research in Counseling Essay
Introduction
In counseling practice, research is vital. Research is valued for providing an evidence-base and for enhancing professional knowledge for practice in ways that benefit clients (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2017). Research commits counseling professionals to keep appropriate and accurate records. In order to move the discipline of counseling into advanced sustainability, a season of stability and increased professionalism, greater emphasis on research in counseling must be placed (West-Olatunji, 2013). This paper will discuss the importance of research in the field of counseling.
Relationship between Research and Counseling
In countries like the U.S., Canada, and Australia, professional therapy has taken up the challenge of encouraging a culture of research. This culture can both support and critique of counselor education and clinical practice. According to (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2017), counselors understand that basic definitions can simplify or complicate a treatment plan or process. For example, under The CBT principles, whereby incorrect thoughts can result in many problems. This is far less clear than if therapists embrace research with utmost misunderstandings that encompass anxiety, fear, and mystification. As (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2017) suggest, unjustified attitudes towards research effectively create a sense of indifference and apathy among counselors toward applying research literature in their day to day practices.
As it stands, the research-based practice has the opportunity to move the counseling profession out of its historical beliefs and theoretical boxes into an era of integrated practice where counselors apply the best available science combined with clinical experience to treat diverse clients. According to (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2017), research continues to provide a source of clinical knowledge that raise the effectiveness of a counselor with his/her clients, become a basis for counselor development and professional education, and act as a unifying force to ensure a constant evolution of therapy. In evidence-based research, scientists are more focused to study the “counselor” as an object (Borders, 2014). The goal of research in counseling is to discover what defines a competent counselor.
The basic presumption of scientists is that research practice and counseling practice are much related and complementary (West-Olatunji, 2013). Besides, the basic elements applied in research practice are similar to those applied in the counseling practice. For instance, researchers are encouraged to keep an open mind, observe, keep records, look for the exceptional or unusual, and ensure critical reflection. When exploring new thought patterns, investigating new possibilities, and synthesizing research data, researchers are required to be aware of bias. For research detail to be applied in a clinical setting, the research must be approved and published by the APA and other associated boards (Borders, 2014). Gathering counseling information through research conforms to the ethical guidelines. Nonetheless, counseling must possess the desired skills in order to interpret and apply the research data correctly into their treatment plans.
Roles and Responsibilities of Researchers in Counseling
Research play major roles in the success and effectiveness of a counseling. In counseling, the basic roles and responsibilities of researchers include:
Analyze and interpret treatment patterns and trends: Different counselors have different specializations. For example, marriage counselor, trauma and crisis counselor, substance abuse counselor, domestic violence counselor, and others. According to (West-Olatunji, 2013), different counseling theories are applied to treat these different problems. For example, CBT, client centered therapy, psychoanalysis, and humanistic theory of personality. Thus, researcher have the role to analyze and interpret the different trends and patterns to inform counselors of the appropriate treatment interventions and plans to adopt to achieve the counseling goals and help their clients recover.
Keep accurate and correct records: In therapeutic practice, researchers play a vital role. They have the responsibility to keep accurate and appropriate records for purposes of publishing information that can guide counselors in their treatment plans (West-Olatunji, 2013). In this role, researchers have to monitor how counselors conduct treatment and how clients respond to the treatment plan in order to do further research and propose better ways of enhancing research efficiency and effectiveness.
Interpret research data and develop appropriate work plan: According to (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2017), every treatment plan has treatment goals. In counseling therefore, researchers have the mandate to interpret research specifications and propose a work plan that suits requirements. In this role/responsibility, researchers must prioritize counseling research.
Communicate their research: Researchers have the role/responsibility to communicate their research with counseling associations and other researchers and to collaborate with other researchers (Borders, 2014). Also, it is the responsibility of a researcher to act ethically and in an honest manner when undertaking research. Failure to which, the research can neither be published nor used in guiding counseling practice.
Conclusion
Counseling professionals play an important role in developing persons and shaping communities. In their role, counselors have to work closely with researchers in the field to ensure that appropriate course of action, treatment interventions, and counseling goals are achieved. Besides, both researchers and counselors must behave ethically and in an honest way to uphold the ACA Code of Ethics.
References
Borders, D. L. (2014). Best practices in clinical supervision: Evolution of a counseling specialty. The Clinical Supervisor, 33(1), 26-44.
Sheperis, C., Young, J., & Daniels, M. (2017). Counseling Research – Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods. Boston: Pearson Education.
West-Olatunji, C. (2013). Research in counseling: A publication of the American Counseling Association. Counseling Today, 11-25.