The module emphasises psychotherapy as a research endeavour, demystifying it and making it both accessible and useable by practitioners of Integrative Psychotherapy. It encourages the development of a reflexive approach to research and its ethics. The emphasis is on both evidence-based practice and practice-based research findings in an attempt to support and advance professional practice. It will familiarise students with the philosophical origins and assumptions of the major research paradigms. Finally, students will be equipped to design a small scale project and write a research proposal relevant to the theory and practice of Integrative Psychotherapy.

Indicative Content may include the following topics:
• Overview of Qualitative and Quantitative approaches to research
• Specific Methodologies
• Planning a research project:
- Question formulation
- Literature review
- Ethical and reflexive research practice
- Methods of data collection and analysis
- Themes and discussion
- Conclusions
• Writing a research proposal

Research Project Presentation & Proposal (100%) assessing learning outcomes 1-3:
1. A 15 minute presentation outlining the chosen research project with reference to the pilot study.
2. Research ethics approval form.
3. Psychotherapy Research Proposal; including a formulated research question relevant to Integrative Psychotherapy, a literature review of key texts relevant to the project, a critique of an appropriate methodology and a rigorously critiqued ethics section. (3500 words +/- 10%)

Additional Assessment Details (include formative feedback / assessment):

• Formative feedback is given by peers and tutors in relation to small/large group supervised clinical practice throughout the module
• Formative feedback is given by both peers and tutors in response to the research presentation

Total hours: 40
• Group process – 12 hours
• Experiential and theoretical learning – 14 hours
• Supervised clinical practice in small groups – 9 hours
• Self-reflective journal writing – 2 hours
• student-focused activities encouraging active participation,(including tutorials, accessing electronic systems and support staff for data, literature, resources and contacts) – 3 hours

Total hours 160
Guided Independent Study is considered to include:
• Reading, research and assignment preparation (100 hours)
• Placement attendance (33 hours)
• Personal Therapy and Supervision attendance with a trained professional (27 hours)

Referring to Texts List Core / Recommended Texts (maximum 4), ISBNs are not required.


Barker, C., Pistrang, N., & Elliott, R. (2002) Research Methods in Clinical Psychology, 2nd edn. Chichester: Wiley and Sons

McLeod, J. (2003) Doing Counselling Research. 2nd edn. London: Sage

• Access to an approved placement which provides suitable learning opportunities, and a
suitably qualified supervisor to provide the required ratio of supervision hours to clinical practice
• Access to a suitably qualified therapist to provide the required sessions of personal therapy
• Access to recording equipment

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based/practice-based research findings and practical understanding of their implications for the theory and practice of Integrative Psychotherapy.
(Knowledge and understanding, Enquiry, Application)

2. Demonstrate a critical awareness and evaluation of the relevance of established techniques of research and enquiry to the theory and practice of Integrative Psychotherapy. Demonstrate the skills necessary to formulate a research proposal, incorporating an appropriate question and research method and the ability to communicate this effectively.
(Analysis, Learning, Communication)

3. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the relevance of ethics to research undertaken in relation to Integrative Psychotherapy.
(Analysis , Reflection)