Research on embedded counselling:an emerging topic of potential importance for the future of counselling psychology

A significant proportion of the counselling that people receive takes place within informal, situated encounters between service users and practitioners in fields such as nursing, medicine, teaching and social work. However, almost all of the research that has been carried out into the process and outcomes of counselling consists of studies of formal, contracted counselling and psychotherapy based in therapy clinics and offices. The competent and effective delivery of counselling that is embedded in a primary professional role, such as that of nurse, teacher or social worker, presents considerable challenges for practitioners. Research evidence around the process and outcomes of embedded counselling represents a valuable resource that has the potential to enhance the quality of counselling conversations enacted by practitioners in health, education, social work and other professions. An overview is provided of different types of research that has been carried out into informal and embedded counselling, and of the main themes that have emerged from these studies. Suggestions are made for the further development of this field

‘It was almost like the opposite of what I needed’:a qualitative exploration of client experiences of unhelpful therapy

Background: The issue of unhelpful and harmful therapy outcome has received an increasing amount of attention within the research literature in recent years. However, little research exists on the client's perspective of what constitutes unhelpful therapy.Aim: The aim of this study was to explore clients’ experiences of unhelpful therapy.Method: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with ten therapists who, as clients, experienced unhelpful therapy. Interview transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings: Participants recounted therapy episodes characterised by an absence of negotiation, collaboration and care; pivotal moments when they knew that they would not return; and ongoing negative effects.Conclusions: The findings of this study have implications for training and strategies for supporting clients who have been harmed by therapy

Client preferences in counselling for alcohol problems:a qualitative investigation

Background: Incorporating client expectations and preferences into the counselling process can lead to more positive outcomes and lower rates of dropout.Aim: The aim of this study was to explore preferences for counselling held by clients prior to the commencement of therapy.Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five clients seeking help from an alcohol counselling service and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings: Each client described a distinctive individual preference profile. While holding clear preferences for what would be helpful in counselling, clients were also open to new possibilities. They possessed a personal understanding of why certain activities and types of relationship might be helpful for them, and an appreciation of the types of therapeutic process that might lead them to quit therapy.Conclusions: These findings suggest that clients are able to articulate their preferences, when offered the opportunity, and that qualitative methods have the potential to open up new understanding of the structure and meaning of preferences from the point of view of the client

Systematic case study research : a practice-oriented introduction to building an evidence base for counselling and psychotherapy

Background: Historically, clinical case studies have played a central role in counselling and psychotherapy training and practice, by allowing practitioners to learn about ideas and interventions being developed by colleagues. In recent years, the development of methods for systematic collection and analysis of case data has made it possible for case study research to begin to make a contribution to the evidence base for therapy policy and practice. Aim: This paper provides an overview of the characteristics of rigorous case study research, introduces a set of studies that exemplify these principles, and reviews the relevance of systematic case study inquiry for policy, practice and training. Conclusions: If case study research is to fulfil its potential as a source of research-based knowledge, it is essential for practitioners to publish more systematic case studies that document the range and scope of everyday therapeutic practice. It is also necessary to carry out further research into a variety of methodological issues associated with single-case inquiry, as a means of further developing this approach to practice-based research

Cluster Algebras and the Subalgebra Constructibility of the Seven-Particle Remainder Function

We review various aspects of cluster algebras and the ways in which they appear in the study of loop-level amplitudes in planar ${\cal N} = 4$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. In particular, we highlight the different forms of cluster-algebraic structure that appear in this theory's two-loop MHV amplitudes---considered as functions, symbols, and at the level of their Lie cobracket---and recount how the `nonclassical' part of these amplitudes can be decomposed into specific functions evaluated on the $A_2$ or $A_3$ subalgebras of Gr$(4,n)$. We then extend this line of inquiry by searching for other subalgebras over which these amplitudes can be decomposed. We focus on the case of seven-particle kinematics, where we show that the nonclassical part of the two-loop MHV amplitude is also constructible out of functions evaluated on the $D_5$ and $A_5$ subalgebras of Gr$(4,7)$, and that these decompositions are themselves decomposable in terms of the same $A_4$ function. These nested decompositions take an especially canonical form, which is dictated in each case by constraints arising from the automorphism group of the parent algebra.Comment: 68 pages, 7 figures, 6 table

The costs and benefits of fixed dollar exchange rates in Latin America

Chronic inflation and the importance of the exchange rate as a nominal anchor for the domestic price level have led some Latin American countries to consider returning to a fixed dollar exchange rate. John Welch and Darryl McLeod examine the costs and benefits of real exchange rate movements and their relevance for the credibility of inflation policies in countries now contemplating free trade agreements with the United States. ; The authors discuss the experiences of several Latin American countries and describe the problem their policy-makers face when deciding to follow either fixed or flexible exchange rate rules. Fixed exchange rates that are credible can decrease inflation rates, but only at the cost of policy flexibility in the face of adverse changes in the terms of trade or foreign interest rates. The current relative stability of international markets has led some Latin American countries to complement their stabilization and reform policies with fixed exchange rates.Foreign exchange - Law and legislation ; Latin America

Social capital and psychotherapy:a review of data collection methods for investigating social and cultural resources used by clients

Background and introduction: Although it is widely acknowledged that "extra therapeutic" factors make a major contribution to therapy outcome, there have been few attempts to conceptualise this dimension of therapy, or develop methods for investigating it. Among the perspectives that are relevant to understanding tis phenomenon can be included: cultural resources, strengths, life events, social support, and social capital. Further attention to these domains may have the potential to enhance the social relevance and effectiveness of therapy.Nature of the methodological innovation/critique being proposed: The present paper offers a brief overview of approaches to conceptualising social capital and allied constructs, before presenting a review of methods that could be used in research on the role of social capital (and related factors) in therapy. The review identifies a number of questionnaires/rating scales and interview schedules that have been used in research in allied disciplines, such as mental health and health education, and discusses their relevance for use in studies of counselling and psychotherapy. The paper concludes with recommendations regarding research instruments likely to be most suitable for research in counselling and psychotherapy, and suggests some research questions that might be explored using these techniques. Conclusion and relevance to counselling and psychotherapy research practice: Inclusion in studies of measures of social capital can enhance the perceived credibility of research into the effectiveness of therapy, by demonstrating that the research community has paid serious attention to the possible influence of social factors on therapy outcomes. This line of research also provides ways to incorporate social justice values in therapy research, and to promote inter-professional collaboration

Exchange rate uncertainty and economic growth in Latin America

Latin America