Counseling psychologists generally agree that science-practice integration is a good thing. However, most discussions of this topic are less clear about how to actually apply scientific findings to an individual client case. In this article, the author attempts to describe a philosophy for applying research to practice in counseling psychology that requires using theory as the bridge between science and practice.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Abrahamson, D. J., & Pearlman, L. A. (1993). The need for scientist-practitioner employment settings. American Psychologist, 48, 59-60.
2.
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (Text revision). Washington, DC: Author.
3.
Baucom, D. H., Shoham, V., Mueser, K. T., Daiuto, A. D., & Stickle, T. R. (1998). Empirically supported couple and family interventions for marital distress and adult mental health problems. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66, 53-88.
4.
Beach, S. R., Sandeen, E. E., & O'Leary, K. D. (1990). Depression in marriage: A model for etiology and treatment. New York: Guilford.
5.
Bernstein, B. L., & Kerr, B. A. (1993). Counseling psychology and the scientist-practitioner model: Implementation and implications. The Counseling Psychologist, 21, 136-151.
6.
Beutler, L. E., Williams, R. E., & Wakefield, P. J. (1993). Obstacles to disseminating applied psychological science. Applied and Preventive Psychology, 2, 53-58.
7.
Brown, D. (2002). Career choice and development (4th ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
8.
Brown, S. D., & Lent, R. L. (2000). Handbook of counseling psychology (3rd ed.). New York: John Wiley.
9.
Bruijn, J. A., Moleman, P., Mulder, P. G. H., & van den Broek, W. W. (1999). Depressed inpatients respond differently to imipramine and mirtazapine. Pharmacopsychiatry, 32, 87-92.
10.
Burr, W. R., Mead, E., & Rollins, B. C. (1973). A model for the application of research findings by the educator and counselor: Research to theory to practice. The Family Coordinator, 3, 285-290.
11.
Chambless, D. L. & Hollon, S. D. (1998). Defining empirically supported therapies. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66, 7-18.
12.
Chwalisz, K. (2003). Evidence-based practice: A framework for twenty-first-century scientist-practitioner training. The Counseling Psychologist, 31, 497-528.
13.
Clark, D. A., & Beck, A. T. (1999). Scientific foundations of cognitive theory and therapy of depression. New York: John Wiley.
14.
Cohen, L. H., Sargent, M. M.,& Sechrest, L. B. (1986). Use of psychotherapy research by professional psychologists. American Psychologist, 41, 198-206.
15.
Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs. (2005). Council of Counseling Psychology surveys of doctoral training programs 1996-96 through 2002-03. Retrieved June 3, 2005, from http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/ccptp/surveys.html
16.
Dobson, K. S. (1989). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of cognitive therapy for depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 414-419. Retrieved May 22, 2001, from http://www.apa.org/journals
17.
Elkin, I. (1994). The NIMH treatment of depression collaborative research program: Where we began and where and where we are. In A. E. Bergin & S. L. Garfield (Eds.), Handbook of psychotherapy and behavior change(pp. 114-139). New York: John Wiley.
18.
Forsyth, D. R., & Strong, S. R. (1987). The scientific study of counseling and psychotherapy: A unificationist view. American Psychologist, 41, 113-119.
19.
Friedlander, M. L., Heatherington, L., Johnson, B., & Skowron, E. A. (1994). Sustaining engagement: A change event in family therapy. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 41, 438-448.
20.
Friedlander, M. L., Larney, L. C., Skau, M., Hotaling, M., Cutting, M. L., & Schwam, M. (2000). Bicultural identification: Experiences of internationally adopted children and their parents. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47, 187-198.
21.
Friedlander, M. L., & Tuason, M. T. (2000). Processes and outcomes in couples and family therapy. In S. D. Brown & R. Lent (Eds.), Handbook of counseling psychology(pp. 797-824). New York: John Wiley.
22.
Galassi, J. P., & Brooks, L. (1992). Integrating scientist and practitioner training in counseling psychology: Practicum is the key. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 5, 57-65.
23.
Gelso, C. J. (1979). Research in counseling: Methodological and professional issues. The Counseling Psychologist, 8, 7-35.
24.
Gelso, C. J. (1991). Galileo, Aristotle, and science in counseling psychology: To theorize or not to theorize. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 38, 211-213.
25.
Gelso, C. J. (1993). On the making of a scientist-practitioner: A theory of research training in professional psychology. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 24, 468-476.
26.
Gelso, C. J. (1996). Applying theories in research: The interplay of theory and research in science. In F. Leong & J. Austin (Eds.), The psychology research handbook: A primer for graduate students and research assistants(pp. 359-368). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
27.
Gelso, C. J., & Fretz, B. (2001). Counseling psychology (2nd ed.). Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt College Publishers.
28.
Greene, G. J., Hamilton, N., & Rolling, M. (1986). Differentiation of self and psychiatric diagnosis: An empirical study. Family Therapy, 13, 187-194.
29.
Haaga, D. A., Dyck, M. J., & Ernst, D. (1991). Empirical status of cognitive theory of depression. Psychological Bulletin, 110, 215-236.
30.
Hanson, W. E., Creswell, J. W., Clark, V. L. P., Petska, K. S., & Creswell, J. D. (2005). Mixed methods research designs in counseling psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 224-235.
31.
Harvey, D. M., Curry, C., & Bray, J. H. (1991). Individuation and intimacy in intergenerational relationships and health patterns across two generations. Journal of Family Psychology, 5, 204-236.
32.
Haverkamp, B. E., Morrow, S. L., & Ponterotto, J. G. (2005). Knowledge in context: Qualitative methods in counseling psychology research [Special issue]. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(2).
33.
Haynes, S. N., Lemsky, C., & Sexton-Radek, K. (1987). Why clinicians infrequently do research. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 18, 515-519.
34.
Helms, J. E. (Ed.). (1990). Black and White racial identity: Theory, research, and practice. New York: Greenwood.
35.
Helms, J. E., & Cook, D. A. (1999). Using race and culture in counseling and psychotherapy: Theory and process. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
36.
Heppner, P. P., Carter, J. A., Claiborn, C. D., Brooks, L., Gelso, C. J., Fassinger, R. E., et al. (1992). A proposal to integrate science and practice in counseling psychology. The Counseling Psychologist, 20, 107-122.
37.
Heppner, P. P., Kivlighan, D. M., & Wampold, B. E. (1999). Research design in counseling. Belmont, CA: Brooks Cole.
38.
Hollon, S. D., & DeRubeis, R. J. (2004). Effectiveness of treatment for depression. In R. L. Leahy (Ed.), Contemporary cognitive therapy: Theory, research, and practice (pp. 45-61). New York: Guilford.
39.
Hoshmand, L. T. (1989). Alternate research paradigms: A review and teaching proposal. The Counseling Psychologist, 17, 3-79.
40.
Howard, G. S. (1986). The scientist-practitioner in counseling psychology: Toward a deeper integration of theory, research, and practice. The Counseling Psychologist, 14, 61-105.
41.
Hultberg, P. (1988). Shame: A hidden emotion. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 33, 109-126.
42.
Kanfer, F. H. (1990). The scientist-practitioner connection: A bridge in need of constant attention. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 21, 264-270.
43.
Karr, C. A., & Larson, L. M. (2005). Use of theory-driven research in counseling: Investigating three counseling psychology journals from 1990 to 1999. The Counseling Psychologist, 33, 299-326.
44.
Kerig, P. K. (1995). Triangles in the family circle: Effects of family structure on marriage, parenting, and child adjustment. Journal of Family Psychology, 9, 28-43.
45.
Kerr, M. E., & Bowen, M. (1988). Family evaluation. New York: Norton.
46.
Lampropoulos, G. K., Goldfried, M. R., Castonguay, L. G., Lambert, M. J., Stiles, W. B., & Nestoros, J. N. (2002). What kind of research can we realistically expect from the practitioner?Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58, 1241-1264.
47.
Lavee, Y., & Dollahite, D. C. (1991). The linkage between theory and research in family science. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 53, 361-373.
48.
Lavoie, K. L., Miller, S. B., Conway, M., & Fleet, R. P. (2001). Anger, negative emotions, and cardiovascular reactivity during interpersonal conflict in women. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 51, 503-512.
49.
Leong, F. T. L. (Ed.). (1995). Career development and vocational behavior of racial and ethnic minorities. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
50.
Lopez, F. G., & Brennan, K. A. (2000). Dynamic processes underlying adult attachment organization: Toward an attachment theoretical perspective on the healthy and effective self. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47, 283-300.
51.
Mahrer, A. R. (1988). Discovery-oriented psychotherapy research: Rationale, aims, and methods. American Psychologist, 43, 694-702.
52.
Mallinckrodt, B., & Gelso, C. J. (2002). Impact of research training environment and Holland personality type: A 15-year follow-up of research productivity. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 49, 60-70.
53.
McKay, G., & Dinkmeyer, D. (2002). How you feel is up to you: The power of emotional choice (2nd ed.). Atascadero, CA: Impact.
54.
Miller, R. B., Anderson, S., & Keala, D. K. (2004). Is Bowen theory valid? A review of basic research. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 30, 453-466.
55.
Morrow, S. L. (2005). Quality and trustworthiness in qualitative research in counseling psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 250-260.
56.
Morrow, S. L., & Smith, M. L. (2000). Qualitative research for counseling psychology. In S. D. Brown & R. L. Lent (Eds.), Handbook of counseling psychology(3rd ed., pp. 199-230). New York: John Wiley.
57.
Murdock, N. L. (2001, August). Theoretical orientation: Personal orientation and that of the counselor's counselor. In R. H. McPherson (Chair), National counseling psychology survey: Culture, personal orientation and life satisfaction. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
58.
Murdock, N. L. (2004). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: A case approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
59.
Murdock, N. L., & Gore, P. A. (2004). Stress, coping, and differentiation of self: A test of Bowen theory. Contemporary Family Therapy, 26, 319-335.
60.
Murdock, N. L., Banta, J., Stromseth, J., Viene, D., & Brown, T. M. (1998). Joining the club: Factors related to counselors' theoretical orientations. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 11, 63-78.
61.
Northey, S., Griffin, W. A., & Krainz, S. (1998). A partial test of the psychosomatic family model: Marital interaction patterns in asthma and nonasthma families. Journal of Family Psychology, 12, 220-235.
62.
Oei, T. P. S., & Free, M. L. (1995). Do cognitive behavior therapies validate cognitive models of mood disorders? A review of the empirical evidence. International Journal of Psychology, 30, 145-179.
63.
Patton, M., & Jackson, A. P. (1991). Theory and meaning in counseling research: Comment on Strong (1991). Journal of Counseling Psychology, 38(2), 214-216.
64.
Pelling, N. (2000). Scientists versus practitioners: A growing dichotomy in need of attention. Counselling Psychology Review, 15(4), 3-7.
65.
Pfeiffer, S. I., Burd, S., & Wright, A. (1992). Clinicians and research: Recurring obstacles and some possible solutions. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 48, 140-145.
66.
Pistole, M. C., & Watkins, C. E. (1995). Attachment theory, counseling process, and supervision. The Counseling Psychologist, 23, 457-478.
67.
Seligman, M. E. P. (1995). The effectiveness of psychotherapy: The Consumer Reports study. American Psychologist, 50, 965-974.
68.
Sexton, T. L., & Alexander, J. F. (2002). Family-based empirically supported interventions. The Counseling Psychologist, 30, 238-261.
69.
Shadish, W. R., Montgomery, L. M., Wilson, P., Wilson, M. R., Bright, I., & Okwumabua, T. (1993). Effects of family and marital psychotherapies: A meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61, 992-1002.
70.
Skowron, E. A. (2000). The role of differentiation of self in marital adjustment. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47, 229-237.
71.
Steenbarger, B. N. (1992). On the role of theory in the postmodern integration of science and practice. American Psychologist, 48, 56-57.
72.
Stricker, G. (1997). Are science and practice commensurable?American Psychologist, 52(4), 442-448.
73.
Striker, G. (2002). What is a scientist-practitioner, anyway?Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58, 1277-1283.
74.
Strong, S. R. (1991). Theory-driven science and naive empiricism in counseling psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 38, 204-210.
75.
Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2003). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (4th ed.). New York: John Wiley.
76.
Sue, S., & Zane, N. (1987). The role of culture and cultural techniques in psychotherapy: A reformulation. American Psychologist, 42, 37-45.
77.
Tuason, M. T., & Friedlander, M. L. (2000). Do parents' differentiation levels predict those of their adult children? And other tests of Bowen theory in a Philippine sample. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47, 27-35.
78.
Wampold, B. E. (2001). The great psychotherapy debate. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
79.
Wampold, B. E., Lichtenberg, J. W., & Waehler, C. A. (2002). Principles of empirically supported interventions in counseling psychology. The Counseling Psychologist, 30, 197-217.
80.
Westen, D., Novotny, C. M., & Thompson-Brenner, H. (2004). The empirical status of empirically supported psychotherapies: Assumptions, findings, and reporting in controlled clinical trials. Psychological Bulletin, 130, 631-663.