“Now I Know the Terrain”: Phenomenological Exploration of CFTs Learning an Evidence-Based Practice

Abstract

Couple and family therapists are rarely the focus of research yet are critical for positive outcomes in therapy. The attempts to integrate evidence-based approaches into the practice of couple and family therapy have been controversial resulting in passionate and at times divisive dialogue. The aims of this research project were to explore what do couple and family therapists experience when learning an evidence-based approach to working with couples and families. A total of 14 couple and family therapists were interviewed about their experience with learning an evidence-based approach. The research was guided methodologically by interpretive phenomenological analysis. Three themes emerged from the participants' experiences including: the supports and challenges in learning; the embodiment of a therapy practice; and the experience of shame while learning.

Teaching and learning evidence‐based practices: Promoting dialogue for counsellors and psychotherapists

“…As Skovholt and Starkey (2010) write, "just as carpenters have their hammers, screwdrivers, and other tools, [counsellors] need to rely -almost exclusively -on one tool: the self" (p. 126). This led to the exploration what counsellors' experience while learning and using an EBP in their practices and we identified three themes (Allan, Ungar, & Eatough, 2018).…”