Using Action Research in Counseling Practice
Action Research is initiated in problem solving, surveys argues that the problem in most cases is immediate or progressive. Counseling calls for practical action research and participatory action research depending on different situations. Action research is more of an active process geared towards changes, while at the same time carrying out a research (Kayano & Nishimura, 2011). Result of an action is determined through planning, action research and finally on fact finding. There are a number of theories explaining action research, among them being ‘Chris Argyris’ Action Science’, ‘Jack Whitehead’s living Theory approach on action research’, ‘John Heron and Peter Reason’s Cooperative Inquiry’, ‘William Torbert’s Development Action Inquiry’ and ‘Paulo Freire’s Participatory Action Research (PAR)’ among others. Action research was first forwarded by Kurt Lewin.
Counseling psychology has a lot to do with action research, it has been noted that counseling psychology has borrowed significant information from applied work and research in a number of domains (Mearns et al, 2013). The common domains include counseling outcome and process; counseling and career development; training and supervision; and in health and prevention. Psychologists involved in counseling argue along a number of unifying themes that strongly focus on strengths and assets, interactions of the person with the environment, career development and education, intact personalities and contact with brief interactions. In United States, The Counseling Psychologist Journal and the Journal of Counseling Psychology provide critical information on the relationship between action research and counseling (Kayano & Nishimura, 2011).
Action research in counseling is relevant in the provision of ideal framework that challenge, document and review the changes observed in an individual. Discussion and activity plays a centered path in defining new processes that are out to solve a problem existing in an individual. Action research in counseling has a similar approach as to class room lessons (Kayano & Nishimura, 2011). It has been noted that counseling is integral to processes of action research. A counselor always gears towards constant improvement of the person being counseled, meaning that counseling is more oriented at obtaining the desired results.
Recommendations done by a psychological counselor are conducted in one to one discussion. Although twenty first century is presenting different technology applications that are encouraging a one to one communication mainly through internet (Mearns et al, 2013). Counselor in such scenario is in a position to discuss and observe what is happening with the target patient, a model that is critical in delivering the desired solution to the problem.
Action research in counseling focuses on improving the outcomes of the target patients, and in the immediate time possible. In some circumstances, action research in counseling is conducted in teams or groups depending on situations. It can be argued that action research in counseling is geared towards improved flexibility depending on how the relevant information is developed, gathered and presented (Kayano & Nishimura, 2011). The counselor has the rights of choosing the best model of gathering the relevant information depending on the problems being solved. Action research needs critical thinking which is influential in problem solving and sound decision making. Counselors are trained to interpret information, and if things are complex, they can share the information with more experienced colleagues in order to make informed decisions (Mearns et al, 2013).
Counseling is defined by processes and outcomes, which are shaped by the therapist variables, client variables, counseling relationship, cultural variables, counseling ethics, outcome measurement and research methods used in the process and outcomes. There are a number of issues addressed by counseling therapists that are designed in form of research questions. Counseling process is more concerned on why and on how the counseling process progresses and happens, which is directly proportional to action research. Counseling outcomes are concerned on whether or whether not the counseling processes are effective; in the same way, the outcomes are measured depending on the response of the target patient (Mearns et al, 2013). Effectiveness in counseling is measured through behavior changes, symptom reduction and the life improvement quality.
The main players in counseling are the therapist variables and the client variables that take different angles depending on situations. Therapist variables that are related to action research identifies with behaviors, therapists techniques, characteristics of the therapist, training of the therapist and the theoretical orientation of the therapist (Kayano & Nishimura, 2011). Research and close follow up to therapy models offers detrimental, helpful and neutral results in reference to outcome and impacts to the client. Experienced therapists deliver accurate counseling judgments, although it is pegged to minimized anxiety and less focus to the processes.
Client variables are signaled by the ability of the client to seek professional help, which is shaped by the attitudes of the clients. The client has preset expectations as well as outcomes. The counselors have the responsibility of maintaining confidentiality, and cultivate trust, which encourages high levels of attachment between the therapist and the client (Mearns et al, 2013). Educating the target client first encourage client treatment, satisfaction and sound intervention.
Discussions between counselors and researchers are tailor made to improve the future, in dealing with similar circumstances. Counselors have the ability to focus at the future in designing future oriented models. Counseling processes are cyclonical, in a way that encourage deeper research in the exploration of practices, ideas and concepts. It can be argued that action research in counseling is influential in providing easily integrated and effective processes (Kayano & Nishimura, 2011).
References
Kayano, J. & Nishimura, K. (2011). Action Research in Career Counseling. JILPT Research Report No. 107 , 2-14.
Mearns, D. et al. (2013). Person-Centred Counselling in Action . Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications Ltd.
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