Clients’ perspectives on preference work (A SPR UK Free Online Research Event)

The Society for Psychotherapy Research UK Chapter is proud to offer a series of free online research events for psychotherapy researchers (both novice and experienced) and research-interested practitioners. Employing a range of different event formats (e.g., panel discussion, online lecture, student presentations), expert psychotherapy researchers will present and discuss their current research projects and methodologies with their implications for psychotherapy practice. An online student research seminar will offer clinical/counselling psychology students the opportunity to present their own research and view research being done by other students.

The online events are available free of charge for both SPR members and non-members.

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Title: Clients’ perspectives on preference work: A Consensual Qualitative Research

Authors: Dr Gina Di Malta, Lecturer in Psychotherapy and Counselling, The Open University & Dr Hanne Weie Oddli, Associate Professor, University of Oslo, Norway.

Abstract: In recent years, the international psychotherapy field has seen an increasing recognition of the role that client preferences play in the psychotherapy decision-making process. Research shows that preference accommodation is associated with reduced dropout and improved outcome.

Yet, processes by which this happens — and how preference accommodation can be best applied in clinical practice—have not been established. The aim of our research was to conduct the first in-depth, qualitative investigation into client experiences of, and perspectives on, preferences in psycho-therapy. Through this research, we wanted to develop guidelines for working with client preferences to support counselling and psychologist practitioners. In this presentation, we will give an overview of the research process and research findings.

Dr Gina Di Malta is a Counselling Psychologist, Lecturer at The Open University, and editor of the Counselling Psychology Review. She conducts research on psychotherapy processes and outcomes, with a particular interest in the therapeutic relationship. She is a co-editor for the 3rd edition of the Handbook of Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling.

Dr Hanne Weie Oddli is a Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo. Her research covers processes and outcomes, including the working alliance, goals in psychotherapy, and the contribution of the therapist.