Where do counselling psychologists based in the UK disseminate their research? A systematic review

Aim: Research is frequently cited as core to counselling psychology. Yet we know little about where counselling psychologists publish their own findings. The present study aims to answer the following two research questions: (1) Where do UK-based counselling psychologists disseminate their research? (2) To what extent do counselling psychologists disseminate their research in British Psychological Society outlets? Method: A systematic review examining research by UK-based counselling psychologists published in journals directly relevant to counselling psychology between January 2010 and December 2012. Counselling psychologists’ individual publication lists were examined for research disseminated in additional specialist journals. Finally, two case studies of research active counselling psychologists were completed to gain a qualitative picture of counselling psychology dissemination. Results: The review elicited 43 research articles by UK-based counselling psychologists in the last three years. Publication lists uncovered a further 24 research studies from specialist journals, making a total of 67 studies, completed by 40 counselling psychologists. The majority of articles were in Counselling and Psychotherapy research and Counselling Psychology review. The case studies both demonstrated the importance of overall attitudes towards research to dissemination. Conclusion: Although the aim of the present study was to gain a picture of where counselling psychology research is disseminated, the limited volume of research seems to lead inevitably back to the debate on what the future of research in counselling psychology should look like, with mixed views on its importance for the field.