Does counselling and psychotherapy work and, if so, what are the factors that drive therapeutic change? Is it the relationship that heals, or are techniques also important to the therapeutic process? What kinds of therapists are associated with the best outcomes, and what client characteristics tend to predict success? This workshop presents an accessible, engaging overview of research findings in counselling and psychotherapy, based on Mick’s popular text: Essential Research Findings in Counselling and Psychotherapy: The Facts are Friendly (2nd ed., 2026 Sage).
A pre-recorded, online version of this workshop will be accessible here.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
Understand the role that research findings can play in informing counselling and psychotherapy practice.
Comprehend the evidence for the positive impact of psychotherapy and counselling.
Recognise the extent to which client, therapist, relationship, technique/orientation, and personalisation factors contribute to therapeutic outcomes.
Recognise the key client, therapist, relationship, technique/orientation, and personalisation factors that make a substantive contribute to therapeutic outcomes.
Schedule
Session 1: The role of evidence in counselling and psychotherapy and overall outcomes
Session 2: Key client, therapist, relationship, technique/orientation, and personalisation factors that predict outcomes.
Format
This workshop is typically delivered as a half day event. It can also be offered as a lecture of minimum 45 minutes, and extended to a full day training.
The workshop primarily consists of theoretical/empirical input, but some experiential element can be incorporated.
Resources
A summary of the latest research evidence available in BACP’s Therapy Today magazine is available here.
Books
Research publications
Barkham, M., Charura, D., Cooper, M., Gabriel, L., Hanley, T., McLeod, J., Moller, N., Reeves, A., & Smith, K. (2024). The role of BACP in maximising the potential of counselling and psychological therapies research in the UK: Benefitting clients, communities, and societies. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 24(4), 1133-1140. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12777
Cooper, M., McLeod, J., & Smith, K. (2024). Research-informed counselling and psychotherapy: A training and accreditation agenda. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 24(4), 1145-1148. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12799