Ethics in Participatory Research on Counselling and Psychotherapy

Increasingly, therapy practitioners and researchers position themselves within a pluralistic perspective that draws on the value of multiple sources of knowledge. The aim of this book is to highlight the distinctive ethical challenges and opportunities associated with a pluralistic research orientation.

John McLeod is a counselling educator, researcher, and author who is committed to the development of flexible, co-created ways of working together in therapy that build on client strengths and resources. He has published widely on a range of topics associated with research in counselling and psychotherapy that allows clients to express their views on the therapy they have received. Julia McLeod is an experienced practitioner, educator, and researcher in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, currently based at the University of Aberdeen. She has particular interests in embedded counselling, pluralistic approaches to therapy, and the use of deliberate practice to facilitate therapist development.

Introduction 1. Participatory research on counselling and psychotherapy: a brief introduction 2. Pluralistic ethics for participatory research 3. Aligning with social justice research goals 4. Nothing about us, without us: addressing the reality of power and privilege 5. Building relationships: ethical aspects of working together to produce practical knowledge 6. Beyond averages: respecting uniqueness and diversity 7. Responding ethically to the personal challenges and opportunities associated with research participation 8. Methodological innovation and flexibility: harnessing courage, imagination, and openness to learning 9. Implications and learning for therapy practice 10. References