Essential Research Findings in Counselling and Psychotherapy: The Facts are Friendly

by Mick Cooper

How important is the therapeutic relationship? Which therapists are most effective? How should therapy be personalised for individual clients?


Essential Research Findings in Counselling and Psychotherapy answers these questions and many more by introducing contemporary research findingswithin the therapy field. The book sets out, in a jargon-free way, the evidence for the effectiveness of therapy and the factors associated with positive therapeutic outcomes, providing a comprehensive overview of research findings and their implications for clinical practice.


Included are suggestions for further reading, implications for practice, and questions for discussion, making this an ideal text for use in training and for qualified practitioners wishing to develop and enhance their practice.

Genres: Psychology, Counselling, Nonfiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2008

Reviews

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read about two thirds of this book. I liked the approachability and the step-by-step definition of psychotherapy research terminology. The book included qualitative research findings as well as quantitative. I preferred (what felt like) the more rigorous "The Great Psychotherapy Debate: Models, Methods and Findings" by Bruce E. Wampold but I acknowledge that many people will not share my preference.

[Imogen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synthesised a huge body of literature in an accessible way. It didn’t feel like I was reading a textbook. The key findings are clearly highlighted, which is very helpful considering the vastness of the research findings in this space. Loved this book!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

No jargon, makes research much more accessible.

[Brendan Lewis · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the few books on the topic accessible to someone outside the field. I've read droves of critiques and historical accounts of the discipline of psychotherapy so it's only fair that I read a defense as well. This book, however, is feeble at best. In the introductory chapter, for example, the book advises therapists to treat scientific research into the efficacy of psychotherapeutic techniques as you would advice from a friend: take what you want and reject the rest. The opening chapter devotes its closing paragraph to the notion that "science is just one way of knowing". This is a book supposedly demonstrating that scientific research about the efficacy of therapy is favorable.

Based on a rather large amount of reading for someone who is not a historian, anthropologist or philosopher of psychology, from what I can tell we do KNOW that therapy is effective, but not for any of the reasons therapists claim (therapists intuition, seniority and clinical experience, predictability, etc). We also know that the efficacy rates are no greater for clinical therapists than for social workers, counsellors and I personally suspect any friendly, empathic and skilled listener. I think therapy is a placebo that taps into our biological need to be socially accepted, listened to, allowed to discuss our grievances, gossip etc. This would explain why a guidance counselor, social worker or life coach can be as just as effective. Ultimately I think psychotherapy is just poetic shamanism for the age of medical science.

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy and quick read

Merged review:

Very easy and quick read