Case Study Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy - Softcover

Robert Elliott, Professor of Counselling, University of Strathclyde

This is an excellent book that has been needed by the counselling and psychotherapy profession for some considerable time. It has been worth the wait. John McLeod writes in a clearly accessible style easy to read and absorb and his comprehensive book both captures existing methods and identifies potential methods ripe for development.

Sue Wheeler, University of Leicester

This is an excellent book, and a very much needed addition to the case study methodology literature. It is very comprehensive and covers all aspects of case study methodology. The text addresses the issue intelligently, but is also an introduction for those engaging in case study research.

Mark Widdowson, Director of Training, CPTI Edinburgh

This book does an outstanding job in pulling together the crucially important literature on case studies in psychotherapy practice and research into a coherent, engaging and scholarly whole.

Daniel Fishman, Editor-in-Chief, Pragmatic Case Studies in Psychotherapy, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA

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.