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Case Study Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy
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Case Study Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy



September 2010 | 272 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Case-based knowledge forms an essential element of the evidence base for counselling and psychotherapy practice. This book provides the reader with a unique introduction to the conceptual and practical tools required to conduct high quality case study research that is grounded in their own therapy practice or training. Drawing on real-life cases at the heart of counselling and psychotherapy practice, John McLeod makes complex debates and concepts engaging and accessible for the trainees and practitioners at all levels, and from all theoretical orientations. Key topics covered in the book include:

- the role of case studies in the development of theory, practice and policy in counselling and psychotherapy

- strategies for responding to moral and ethical issues in therapy case study research

- practical tools for collecting case data

- 'how-to-do-it' guides for carrying out different types of case study

- team-based case study research for practitioners and students

- questions, issues and challenges that may have been raised for readers through their study.

Concrete examples, points for reflection and discussion, and recommendations for further reading will enable readers to use the book as a basis for carrying out their own case investigation.

All trainees in counselling, psychotherapy and clinical psychology are required to complete case reports, and this is the only textbook to cover the topic in real depth. The book will also be valuable to people who intend to use existing case studies to inform their practice, and it will help experienced practitioners to generate publishable case reports.

 
The Role of Case Studies in the Development of Theory and Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy
 
The Development of Systematic Methods and Principles for Collecting and Analyzing Case Material
 
Justifying Case-Based Research: The Role of Systematic Case Studies in Building an Evidence Base for Therapy Policy and Practice
 
Moral and Ethical Issues in Therapy Case Study Research
 
Collecting and Analyzing Case Material: A Practitioner and Student Toolkit
 
Documenting Everyday Therapeutic Practice: Pragmatic Case Studies
 
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Therapy: N=1 Time-Series Case Studies
 
Using Multiple Judges in Evaluating the Effectiveness of Therapy: The Hermeneutic Single Case Efficacy Design (HSCED)
 
Theory-Building Case Studies
 
Exploring the Meaning of the Therapy Experience: Narrative Case Research
 
Team-Based Case Study Research for Practitioners and Students

This text offers students the opportunity to grasp the importance of using case studies to inform research and is recommended for our students taking an Introduction to Evidence based practice in counselling module

Mrs Jan Tatham
Faculty of Care Health & Education, City of Bristol College
September 29, 2011

An excellent textbook with clear guidelines to help students understand the importance of developing consistent methods for gathering evidence as they work with cases. The role of case studies for students as they learn about the different theories is essential for them to grasp a practical understanding of applications. This book covers the knowledge of writing case reports in a clear and comprehensive way.

Dr Ann Moir-Bussy
Counselor Education , Hong Kong Shue Yan University
September 21, 2011

John McLeod is and probably always will be the author we recommend when talking about evidence based practice. His other texts in Doing Counselling Research and Qualitative Research are seminal in this context. This text fills the gap around working with case studies in research, and is very relevant as this is an area that most counsellors will need to be familiar with. The book is well written and if possible makes the subject even more approachable and interesting. Our third year students are now recommended to read this title in relation to all of the third year professional level study modules, as it offers so the opportunity to become familiar with research methodologies and language.

Mr Andrew Thorne
Bristol Centre For Care, Health & Educ, City of Bristol College
July 8, 2011

An excellent book which helps people understand the ethics and processes involved in a case study approach. Some very useful examples contained within the book which makes the subject understandable. It has provided me with the motivation to consider applying this in my own practice.

Professor Steven Lyon
Division of Psychology, Huddersfield University
June 16, 2011

Part of the beauty of this book is the accessibility of the author; as he brings the reader through an exciting, interesting, pragmatic and richly informed account of living qualitative research in action. The book considers; pragmatic, n=1, HSCED, theory-building adn one of my personal favourites - narrative approaches. This book is a required resource for anyone interested in qualitative research or therapy practice. A gem.

Ms Barbara Hannigan
School of Psychology, University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin
June 3, 2011

A thorough and rigorous review of the latest developments in case study research. Important reading for all counselling and psychotherapy research students, and practitioners who want to write up their clinical work.

Dr Christine Stevens
DPsych, Metanoia Institute
May 15, 2011

This is a useful book, that makes a considered case for the the use of Case Studies for effective research as well as a developmental method for students.

Ms Trudy Johnston
School of Social work and applied behavioural studies, University of Cumbria
April 20, 2011

Excellent book, which fills a gap in the current literature; especially useful in clinical psychology training where alternatives to n=1 empirical case studies are not widely accepted.

Dr Thomas Schroder
Institute of Work, Health and Organisations, Nottingham University
April 12, 2011

this has everything that you need for researching

Mrs Mary Sherrill
Health & Social Care, Tresham Institute
March 24, 2011

This book has been useful in thinking about revalidation the Social Work degree and its themes will take a more central part in the revalidated degree from 2011-12 onwards.

Ms Elizabeth Lefroy
Institute for Health, Medical Sciences and Society, Glyndwr University
March 3, 2011

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