research topics counseling psychology

Counseling Psychology Research Paper Topics

This page provides a comprehensive list of counseling psychology research paper topics , tailored to support students in their exploration of this vital field. Counseling psychology encompasses a broad range of practices designed to help individuals overcome challenges, achieve personal growth, and improve overall well-being. By delving into topics that span from therapeutic approaches and techniques to the nuances of client-counselor dynamics and the impact of cultural and social diversity in counseling, this resource aims to inspire a deeper investigation into the ways counseling psychology can address the complexities of human experience. Highlighting both established and emerging areas within the discipline, such as the integration of technology in therapy and the ethical considerations unique to counseling practice, the topics presented are curated to encourage thoughtful research and contribute meaningful insights to the field. This collection is designed not only as an academic resource but also as a springboard for future professionals to engage with the pressing issues and innovations shaping the landscape of counseling psychology today.

100 Counseling Psychology Research Paper Topics

Counseling psychology, a dynamic and essential field, plays a critical role in enhancing personal and interpersonal functioning across the lifespan. It encompasses a wide array of practices aimed at supporting individuals through various challenges, promoting mental health and well-being, and facilitating growth and development. The breadth of research topics within counseling psychology mirrors its diverse applications, spanning clinical, educational, and research settings. From exploring innovative therapeutic approaches to understanding the intricate dynamics between clients and counselors, the field offers a rich landscape for investigation and discovery.

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• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Principles and Applications
• Person-Centered Therapy: Techniques and Outcomes
• Integrative Approaches in Counseling
• The Effectiveness of Group Therapy
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Strategies and Efficacy
• Mindfulness and Meditation in Therapy
• Narrative Therapy and Storytelling in Healing
• Art and Music Therapy: Methods and Mental Health Benefits
• Trauma-Informed Care in Counseling Practice
• Psychoanalytic Approaches in Modern Counseling
• Building Therapeutic Alliances: Strategies and Challenges
• The Impact of Counselor Self-Disclosure on Therapy Outcomes
• Client Resistance and Engagement Techniques
• Boundary Issues in the Therapeutic Relationship
• The Role of Empathy in Counseling
• Counseling Competencies and Client Satisfaction
• Confidentiality and Trust in Counseling
• Power Dynamics and Ethics in Client-Counselor Relationships
• Cultural Competence in Therapeutic Settings
• Feedback-Informed Treatment in Counseling
• Anxiety Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment
• Depression: Prevention Strategies and Therapeutic Interventions
• Wellness and Positive Psychology Interventions in Counseling
• The Role of Counseling in Suicide Prevention
• Substance Abuse Counseling: Approaches and Recovery Support
• Eating Disorders: Counseling Strategies and Recovery Models
• Counseling for Chronic Illness and Disability
• Stress Management Techniques in Therapy
• The Psychology of Happiness and Contentment
• Mental Health Stigma and Access to Counseling Services
• Multicultural Counseling Techniques and Outcomes
• Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mental Health Services
• Gender and Sexuality Issues in Counseling
• Counseling Immigrant and Refugee Populations
• Socioeconomic Factors in Mental Health and Therapy
• Cross-Cultural Communication Skills in Therapy
• Indigenous Healing Practices and Counseling
• Religion and Spirituality in Counseling Practice
• Age-Related Considerations in Counseling
• Counseling Veterans and Military Personnel
• Informed Consent in Counseling Practice
• Confidentiality and Privacy in the Digital Age
• Dual Relationships and Ethical Boundaries
• Legal Responsibilities of Counselors
• Ethical Decision-Making Models in Counseling
• Record-Keeping and Documentation Standards
• Managing Ethical Dilemmas with Supervision
• Cultural Sensitivity and Ethical Practice
• Ethical Considerations in Teletherapy
• Client Rights and Advocate Roles in Counseling
• Psychological Testing and Assessment in Counseling
• Outcome Measures and Their Importance in Therapy
• Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods in Counseling
• Program Evaluation Techniques for Counseling Services
• Diagnostic Criteria and Differential Diagnosis in Mental Health
• The Use of Technology in Psychological Assessments
• Evaluating Therapeutic Interventions and Their Effectiveness
• Client Feedback Mechanisms and Therapy Adjustment
• Assessment of Risk Factors in Mental Health
• The Role of Neuropsychological Testing in Counseling
• Career Counseling Theories and Models
• Vocational Assessment Tools and Techniques
• Counseling for Work-Life Balance Issues
• Transition Services for Youth and Young Adults
• Retirement Planning and Counseling
• Workforce Re-entry and Counseling Support
• Entrepreneurship and Psychological Well-being
• Job Loss and Grief Counseling
• Career Change and Identity Shifts
• The Impact of Workplace Stress on Mental Health
• Play Therapy: Techniques and Outcomes
• Counseling Strategies for Adolescents with Behavioral Issues
• School-Based Mental Health Services
• Parent-Child Relationship Counseling
• Counseling for Gifted and Talented Youth
• Addressing Bullying and Cyberbullying in Counseling
• Childhood Trauma and Resilience Building
• Adolescent Substance Use and Counseling Interventions
• Special Education Needs and Counseling Support
• Peer Relationships and Social Skills Training
• Couple Therapy: Approaches and Challenges
• Family Dynamics and Systemic Therapy
• Counseling for Blended Families
• Divorce and Separation: Counseling Support for Families
• Parenting Strategies and Family Counseling
• Intimacy Issues and Sexual Health Counseling
• Conflict Resolution Techniques in Family Therapy
• Grief and Loss within the Family Context
• Family Therapy for Substance Abuse Issues
• Communication Skills Training for Couples and Families
• Efficacy of Online Therapy Platforms
• Digital Ethics: Confidentiality and Security in Online Counseling
• Utilizing Mobile Apps in Mental Health Interventions
• Virtual Reality Therapy: Applications and Limitations
• Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health and Counseling
• Online Support Groups and Peer Counseling
• Teletherapy: Best Practices and Client Outcomes
• Technology-Assisted Relaxation Techniques
• Cyberbullying: Counseling Strategies and Prevention
• Bridging the Digital Divide in Access to Mental Health Services

The exploration of counseling psychology research paper topics is a journey into the heart of what it means to support and understand human behavior and mental health. With a vast array of topics ranging from the intricacies of therapeutic relationships to the cutting-edge applications of technology in therapy, students are invited to delve deep into the subjects that resonate most with their academic interests and future aspirations. These topics not only offer a platform for significant academic contribution but also equip students with the knowledge and insights to advance counseling practices and mental health support in a rapidly evolving society. By engaging with these diverse research areas, students can play a crucial role in shaping the future of counseling psychology, fostering well-being, and making a meaningful impact on the lives of those they will serve.

What is Counseling Psychology

Counseling Psychology as an Essential Field of Study

Advancing Counseling Techniques, Understanding Client Needs, and Improving Therapeutic Outcomes

Research in counseling psychology is crucial for the continual advancement of counseling techniques, deepening the understanding of client needs, and enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Through empirical studies, researchers can evaluate the efficacy of various therapeutic approaches, tailoring interventions to meet the diverse needs of clients effectively. This ongoing research helps in identifying best practices, informing evidence-based treatments, and ensuring that counseling methods evolve in response to new psychological insights and societal changes. Moreover, research contributes to the training of counseling psychologists, equipping them with the latest tools and knowledge to support their clients effectively.

Investigations into client needs and preferences play a significant role in developing client-centered therapies that honor the individual’s experience and autonomy. Understanding the factors that contribute to psychological well-being and distress informs the creation of supportive environments and therapeutic relationships that facilitate change. Furthermore, research on therapeutic outcomes assesses the long-term impact of counseling services, guiding improvements in practice and highlighting the value of counseling psychology in mental health care.

Diverse Research Topics within Counseling Psychology

The field of counseling psychology encompasses a broad array of research topics, reflecting the complexity of human behavior and the myriad challenges individuals face throughout their lives. Topics include the development of effective therapeutic approaches and techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and narrative therapy, which are tailored to address specific psychological issues or client populations. Research on client-counselor dynamics delves into the factors that enhance therapeutic alliances, the role of empathy, and the impact of counselor characteristics on the counseling process.

Cultural and social diversity in counseling is another critical area of research, examining how cultural, racial, ethnic, and gender identities influence mental health and counseling outcomes. This research is instrumental in promoting culturally competent practices and addressing disparities in mental health care. Additionally, studies on ethics and legal issues ensure that counseling practices adhere to the highest standards of professional conduct, safeguarding client welfare and confidentiality. The exploration of these and other topics within counseling psychology is directly relevant to addressing current challenges in the field, driving innovations that enhance the quality and accessibility of mental health services.

Recent Advancements in Counseling Psychology Research

Recent advancements in counseling psychology research have significantly contributed to the field’s growth and the effectiveness of counseling services. Evidence-based practices, which rely on empirical evidence to guide treatment decisions, have gained prominence, ensuring that clients receive interventions proven to be effective. Research in this area not only evaluates the efficacy of traditional therapeutic approaches but also explores the potential of emerging therapies to address complex mental health issues.

Digital interventions, including online therapy, mobile apps for mental health, and teletherapy, represent another area of rapid advancement. These technologies have expanded access to counseling services, making psychological support more accessible to individuals in remote or underserved areas. Research into the effectiveness of these digital interventions is critical for understanding their impact on therapeutic outcomes and client satisfaction.

Furthermore, holistic approaches to mental health that consider the interplay between psychological, physical, social, and spiritual factors are increasingly being integrated into counseling psychology. Research in this area explores the benefits of incorporating wellness practices, such as exercise, nutrition, and meditation, into therapeutic interventions. These holistic approaches emphasize the whole person, supporting comprehensive well-being and resilience.

Ethical Considerations in Counseling Psychology Research and Practice

Ethical considerations are paramount in counseling psychology, guiding the conduct of researchers and practitioners to ensure the protection and respect of clients’ rights and well-being. Confidentiality is a fundamental ethical principle, safeguarding the privacy of client information and fostering a safe therapeutic environment. Research in counseling psychology often addresses the challenges and implications of maintaining confidentiality, especially in the context of digital interventions and group therapy settings.

Informed consent is another critical area of ethical focus, ensuring that clients are fully aware of the counseling process, their rights, and the potential risks and benefits of therapy. Research explores the best practices for obtaining informed consent, particularly when working with vulnerable populations or employing novel therapeutic techniques.

Therapist-client boundaries are also a significant concern, with research examining the importance of maintaining professional relationships to prevent harm and conflict of interest. Studies in this area contribute to the development of guidelines and training programs that help counselors navigate these ethical dilemmas, promoting integrity and trust within the counseling relationship.

Future Directions and Emerging Trends in Counseling Psychology

The future of counseling psychology research is poised to address a range of emerging trends and challenges, reflecting the evolving needs of society and advances in technology. Teletherapy has emerged as a critical area of focus, with researchers exploring its efficacy, the nuances of therapist-client interactions in virtual settings, and the ethical considerations unique to digital counseling formats. This trend underscores the field’s adaptation to technological advancements, ensuring that counseling services remain accessible and effective in a digital age.

Multicultural counseling continues to gain attention, with future research likely to delve deeper into the experiences of diverse client populations, the development of culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches, and the training of counselors in cultural competence. This area of study is crucial for addressing health disparities and promoting equity in mental health care.

Integrative health approaches that combine psychological, medical, and alternative therapies are also becoming more prominent. Research in this area examines the benefits of a holistic view of mental health, exploring how integrating various health modalities can support comprehensive well-being. These future directions in counseling psychology research reflect the field’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and the holistic well-being of individuals and communities.

The Role of Research in Shaping Effective Counseling Practices

Research plays an indispensable role in shaping the practices of counseling psychology, guiding the field toward more effective, inclusive, and ethical approaches to mental health care. Through the diligent exploration of diverse research topics, counseling psychology continues to advance our understanding of therapeutic processes, client needs, and the complex factors that contribute to mental health and wellness. As the field looks to the future, embracing emerging trends and addressing new challenges, the insights gained from research will remain pivotal in developing interventions that are both innovative and grounded in evidence. Ultimately, the continued emphasis on research in counseling psychology will ensure that the field remains at the forefront of promoting mental health, well-being, and positive change in the lives of individuals and communities.

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Counselling Psychology Dissertation Topics

Published by Owen Ingram at January 2nd, 2023 , Revised On August 11, 2023

Counselling psychology is one of the various subfields of psychology. It addresses a variety of situational issues that affect people from different social groups. In order to receive a psychology degree, students must complete a dissertation in their final year of college. Picking a worthy dissertation topic is crucial to obtaining the supervisor’s approval to work on it.

Sometimes, choosing a topic is more difficult than writing the whole thing. When you’re struggling to come up with a topic for your research on counselling psychology, consider these intriguing possibilities. It is common for students to face this dilemma as they approach the end of their coursework or degree program.

Academic Resources: Psychology Dissertation Topics , Cognitive Psychology Topics ,

Below Are Some Counselling Psychology Dissertation Topics

• Examine the outcomes of counselling cohabiting couples in various contexts and environments.
• Consider the benefits and difficulties bisexual and/or lesbian women encounter when they start dating if they were subjected to sexual assault as adolescents.
• Determine whether new counselling students received open communication from new students during counselling sessions.
• Demonstrate how the media has impacted the emergence of both African and white peoples’ identities.
• Examine how women in college feel about their families, identities, and behaviours, such as eating at college.
• Examine the relationship between a person’s career and self-image as they enter the workforce as recent college graduates.
• Consider the various elements that affect young students’ success as they begin their academic careers.
• Review how family trauma and stress might affect children’s school performance, particularly their academic achievements.
• Examine how women might come to accept and forgive themselves after committing a sex offence against another person.
• Examine the effects of adopted and foster children on the dynamics of the parents’ families and the present biological children.
• Examine how socioeconomic disparities affect students’ performance in schools and other educational settings.
• Helping first-time mothers adjust to the trials of motherhood as they learn coping mechanisms for returning to work, meeting their educational needs, and managing the stresses involved by reviewing issues with working conditions and the individual’s well-being as they adjust to the conditions they are faced in the environment
• Your personalities remain intact thanks to therapy.
• Success in psychology counselling has an impact on modern society.
• Factors for the growth and self-promotion of counselling psychology.
• Changes in adolescent therapy can be examined as counselling psychology expands internationally.
• Regulations to stop physical and mental abuse.
• Discrimination based on religion and gender must end for both patients and therapists.
• The most effective technique to “put in yourself” several clients is through personal counselling.
• Which theoretical frameworks support the ‘unconscious’ function in life coaching?
• Do modern mental health experts still use self-analysis as Freud did?
• How to start a therapeutic therapy relationship should be discussed.
• Discuss two views that have been put out concerning biblical comforting.
• What distinguishes spiritual discernment from career counselling?
• Discuss why not all people seeking help can benefit from 12-step programs for counselling.
• Patients have been treated by hypnosis for a very long time. Numerous patients have benefited from this throughout the years. Describe its mechanism.
• Modern society has a serious problem with controlling our anger. Discuss how being exposed to many stimuli causes children to develop a lot of anger issues and suggest strategies that might be used to ensure that these issues are addressed on a fundamental level.
• Antidepressants are frequently utilized to aid in resolving a variety of concerns. Describe how these inevitably contribute to the larger issue.
• Rehabilitation of prisoners is crucial to their reintegration into society.

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Counselling psychology is an area of great interest among psychology students. Whether you are an undergraduate, Master or PhD student, if you need unique and intriguing counselling psychology dissertation topics, you can count on our professional dissertation writing services , which include free topic suggestions and a free proposal of up to 1000 words. Contact our team today to discuss your requirements and put yourself on the path to academic success.

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How to find counselling psychology dissertation topics.

To find Counselling Psychology dissertation topics:

• Explore diverse therapy approaches.
• Investigate mental health issues.
• Consider special populations.
• Analyze therapeutic techniques.
• Review ethical concerns.
• Select a topic resonating with your passion and research goals.

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Research Topics & Ideas: Psychology

100+ Psychology Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Research

If you’re starting out on the dissertation or thesis journey for your psychology degree, the very first challenge you’ll face is finding a solid research topic . In this post, we’ll help get the topic ideation process started by providing a meaty list of research ideas, spanning a range of psychology sub-disciplines. We’ll also look at some examples from actual theses and dissertations to give you an idea of what these look like in the real world.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps (which we’ll explain a little later). Therefore, it’s important to recognise that this post is only the first step in finding a high-quality psychology-centred research topic. To develop a research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan of action to fill that gap.

If this all sounds a bit intimidating, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course , which covers the process of writing a dissertation or thesis from A-Z. You can also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic. Alternatively, if you’d like hands-on help, have a look at our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Overview: Psychology-Related Topics

• How to find a research topic (video)
• Behavioural psychology
• Clinical psychology
• Cognitive psychology
• Developmental psychology
• Educational psychology
• Forensic psychology
• Social psychology
• Sports psychology
• Examples of actual dissertation topics
• Free Webinar : Topic Ideation 101
• Where to get extra help

How To Find A Research Topic

In the video below, we explain how to find suitable research ideas (in psychology or any field), and how to then refine those into well-articulated potential topics for your dissertation or thesis. We also discuss a few important evaluation criteria to help you make the right choice for your project.

Below you’ll find a list of research ideas to get your thinking started. Please note that these research topic ideas are intentionally broad and generic, so you will need to refine them a fair deal using the techniques we discussed in the video above.

We’ve grouped the topic ideas based on a few popular areas of psychology to make it a little easier for you to find something in your particular field of interest. That said, there is naturally some overlap between topics, so keep this in mind.

Research Ideas: Behavioural Psychology

• Cultural variation in behaviour and mental health of adolescents during a disaster: a case study
• The impact of parental drug use and risky behaviour on early child development
• The effects of video game violence on aggressive behaviour among teenage boys in school
• The relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adult risk-seeking behaviour
• The impact of physical exercise on anxiety and health-harming behaviour
• The relationship between personality traits and addiction behaviour
• The effects of reinforcement schedules on decision-making and associative learning
• The effects of daily mindfulness practice on stress and anxiety in middle-aged women
• The use of behavioural interventions in the treatment of eating disorders in poorer communities
• Understanding implicit cognitive processes involved in the over-consumption of fast food
• The use of cognitive behavioural therapy for alcohol addiction treatment
• The impact of extensive technology use in children on long-term attention and focus
• The impact of social media on self-destructive behaviour and poor mental health outcomes
• Exploring the role of sleep and sleep deprivation on healthy behaviours

Research Ideas: Clinical Psychology

• The use of mindfulness-based approaches in the treatment of anxiety disorders among college students
• The use of technology in the delivery of psychological services in war-torn countries
• The effectiveness of dialectical behaviour therapy for borderline personality disorder
• The use of virtual reality technology in the treatment of phobias and PTSD among war veterans
• The role of childhood adversity on adult mental health in immigrant populations in the USA
• The role of genetics and epigenetics in the development of bipolar disorder in Pakistani women: an integrative review
• The effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of social anxiety among hikikomori in Japan
• The perception of healthcare workers and patients on the use of teletherapy for the delivery of psychological services
• The impact of social support on mental health outcomes among single parents.
• The effectiveness of integrative therapeutic approaches in the treatment of schizophrenia
• The effectiveness of trauma-focused therapies on post-traumatic growth in domestic abuse survivors
• The role and use of cognitive-behavioural therapy for depression among first-generation students
• The effectiveness of family therapy in addressing childhood trauma and depression
• The impact of cultural mistrust on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues in culturally-diverse populations
• The effectiveness of group therapy on post-traumatic stress symptoms among survivors of sexual assault

Research Ideas: Cognitive Psychology

• The impact of lifelong aerobic exercise on cognitive function in old age
• The effects of evening screen use on cognitive development in preschool children
• The impact of sleep deprivation on decision-making among graduate students
• The use of neuroimaging to understand the neural basis of memory retrieval
• The effect of conservative religious homes on social functioning in LGBT+ adolescents
• The role of positive emotions in working memory among high school learners
• The neural basis of decision-making and problem-solving during undergraduate statistic assessments
• The neural basis of language processing among adults learning English as a second language
• The role of technological tools in improving working memory in older adults
• The role of attention in emotional face processing among adult males
• The impact of depression on cognitive function during ageing The impact of daily meditation and mindfulness practice on cognitive function
• The relationship between increased protein intake and improved cognitive function
• The effects of stress on cognitive function among final-year learners

Research Ideas: Developmental Psychology

• The impact of maternal affection on cognitive, social, and emotional development
• The effects of parenting styles on children’s executive function
• The impact of late-night screen use on child development
• The role of digital play on child development outcomes
• Exploring the impact of poverty on early child development in Brazil
• The trauma-informed care as moderating the impact of trauma on child development
• Evaluating the relationship between peer relationship quality and child social development
• The impact of child-targeted media and advertising on child behavioural development
• The role of parental attachment in child resilience
• The moderating impact of culture on bullying and child social development
• The impact of single-parenting on child development in India
• The impact of early educational interventions on child socio-emotional development
• The impact of digital technology use on adolescent development and mental health
• The impact of socioeconomic status on child executive function
• The role of genetics and epigenetics on child neurodevelopmental outcomes linked to depression

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Research Ideas: Educational Psychology

• The relationship between self-regulated learning and academic performance in asynchronous versus synchronous learning environments
• Exploring effective parental involvement strategies and their impact on student achievement
• The role of intrinsic motivation in formative assessment in the classroom
• The impact of classroom management and practice on student learning and behaviour
• University students’ preference regarding online learning environments
• The effects of gentrification on student achievement in traditionally poor neighbourhoods
• The impact of teacher expectations and academic self-concept on K12 student mathematics performance
• The use and effectiveness of game-based learning in a high school biology classroom
• The impact of prejudice on the relationship between student motivation and academic performance among Black university students
• The impact of culture on second language English student learning preferences
• The effects of student self-efficacy and engagement on academic performance in secondary school mathematics
• The role of metacognition in learning musicality in hip hop
• The role of small group instruction on teacher efficacy and stress in early childhood education
• The perception and use of multimedia among high school biology teachers in France
• The use of augmented reality applications and its impact on student learning, motivation and attitude

Research Ideas: Forensic Psychology

• The impact of trauma on the psychological functioning of police officers and first responders
• Understanding cultural considerations during forensic psychological assessment and treatment of trauma
• Ethical considerations of the use of AI in forensic psychology in the legal system
• The psychological factors related to recidivism among white collar female offenders in the USA
• The psychological factors related to false confessions among juveniles
• Understanding the use of psychological assessment in the evaluation of eyewitness testimony in criminal courts in England
• The impact of trauma on the reflective functioning of adult female sexual assault victims
• The use and effectiveness of psychological interventions in reducing recidivism among non-violent criminals
• The impact of domestic violence on the mental health and forensic evaluation of men
• Exploring the ethical considerations and use of behavioural analysis in the study of criminal behaviour
• The use and limitations of neuropsychological assessment in forensic evaluations
• The use of social media forensics in evaluating criminal behaviour in violent crimes
• The racialised use of psychological assessment in the evaluation of competency to stand trial in Canada
• Exploring the use and availability of virtual reality technologies in forensic psychology in Spain
• The impact of motivational interviewing-based interventions among criminalized drug users

Research Ideas: Social Psychology

• The impact of prejudice and discrimination on social behaviour among African immigrants in South Africa
• The impact of social networks on behaviour and well-being among young adult females
• The effects of social identity on non-conformity in University students
• The effects of group dynamics on risk-seeking behaviour in adult men
• The impact of social media on the quality of interpersonal relationships among high school learners
• The impact of parental emotional intelligence on pro-social behaviour in children and adolescents
• The effects of conformity and deviance on social attitudes and behaviour during a global recession
• The effects of Tik Tok on social comparison and self-esteem among teenage girls
• Understanding gendered differences in social influence and algorithms on impulsive decision-making
• The effects of social support on mental health among healthcare workers in the UK
• The effects of gender roles on social behaviour among trans teens
• The impact of perceived power and social status on the behaviour of social media influencers
• The impact of social norms on prosocial behaviour among women
• The effects of community participation on aggression and violence in middle-aged men
• The impact of culture and gender on social behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic

Research Ideas: Sports Psychology

• The moderating role of cultural factors on the relationship between mental health and sports performance in team sports
• The role of mindfulness practice in addressing stress and anxiety in young national athletes
• The relationship between team cohesion and performance in cricket teams
• The effect of transformational leadership on female sports teams in Canada
• The effect of positive self-talk on athletic performance and motivation among Olympic athletes
• The use and perception of hypnosis in New Zealand team sports Understanding stress and burnout in University team athletes
• The efficacy of personalised nutrition and diet on athletic performance among sprinters
• Exploring mental preparation techniques and their effect on athletic motivation and resilience among team-sport athletes
• Exploring the perception and understanding of goal-setting characteristics on athletic performance among team coaches
• The effects of motivational feedback on the performance of female gymnasts
• The perception and use of visualization and imagery among coaches as a means to enhance sport performance
• The impact of sports injuries on mental health and recovery in high school athletes
• The moderating role of sleep on mental toughness and sports performance in Olympic athletes
• The use and perception of technology in sports training and performance in little league softball

Psychology-Related Dissertations & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic in psychology, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together in practice.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various psychology degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• Effects of a Patient Question Prompt List on Outpatient Palliative Care Appointments (McDarby, 2022)
• The role of affect and exercise goals in physical activity engagement in younger and older adults (Stojanovic, 2022)
• Lay Theories about Whether Emotion Helps or Hinders Reasoning and Well-being (Karnaze, 2022)
• The effects of blast-induced traumatic brain injury on two transgenic models of Alzheimer’s Disease (Gann, 2020)
• Understanding the parental mind: Examining the stability of parental reflective functioning across the birth of a child and associations with maternal mind-mindedness (Pitzen, 2021)
• An investigation of ineffective ally behaviours (Collier, 2019)
• Response Inhibition-Related Beta Power: Distinguishing Cognitively Intact Elders by Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease (Evans, 2021)
• Recognition Memory of Extremely High-Frequency Words (Miller, 2019)
• The Relationship between Dementia Caregiver Burden and Caregiver Communications in a Memory Clinic Setting (Martin, 2021)
• Examination of Maternal Versus Paternal Ratings of Child Pre-Injury Functioning in Predicting Child Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms (Sayer, 2021)
• Electromyography As A Means of Predicting The Rubber Hand Illusion (Teaford, 2021)
• Linking Diversity Climate and Feedback Seeking Through Interpersonal Processes and Race Effects (Flores, 2021)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are far more specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

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Still unsure about how to find the right topic for your research project? Check out our private coaching services , where we work with psychology students on a 1:1 basis to help them find the perfect topic.

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10 Comments

Great insight

A very interesting site that offers a variety of options regarding research topics.

You’re most welcome

A good platform to get information

Amazing and interesting options 👌

Very useful but had not any field of research in health psychology

I feel honored going through this lovely stuff put together. Thank you so much

I need counseling psychology research topics

very empowering and insightful presentations. Can I be assisted in crafting a school psychology-related research topic about African context

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• v.22(3); 2019 Dec 19

A systematic review of psychotherapy research topics (2000-2016): a computer-assisted approach

Alessandro gennaro.

1 Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

Omar C.G. Gelo

2 Department of History, Social Society and Human Studies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy

3 Faculty of Psychotherapy Science, Sigmund Freud University, Vienna, Austria

Gloria Lagetto

Sergio salvatore.

The present work aims to empirically map what has been investigated and which issues ( i.e . topics) characterize the debates of psychotherapy research, using a computer-assisted, bottom-up method of content analysis. The abstract of papers (N=13,499), published between 2000-2016 and retrieved from a sample of 10 journals selected as representing the field of psychotherapy research, were subjected to a method of automated content analysis. Five different research topics were identified (clinical relationship, clinical efficacy, clinical practice and research, psychopathology, and neuroscientific approaches to mental disorders) and each abstract was labeled according to the retrieved research topic. Two different Chi-square analyses investigated the distributions of research topics over time and among the selected journals. Results concerning the distribution over time highlighted an increase in the clinical relationship and clinical efficacy topics and a decrease in the others. An examination of the distribution among journals showed that psychopathology and neuroscientific approaches to mental disorders were associated with psychiatric journals, while the others were associated with non-psychiatric journals. The findings are discussed in light of the theoretical, methodological, and practical implications offering pointers for a critical understanding of the current psychotherapy research domain.

Introduction

Psychotherapy research aims at advancing knowledge about psychotherapy by means of scientific methods (Gelo, Pritz, & Rieken, 2015 ). In order to summarize and critically evaluate the body of knowledge produced by this scientific endeavor, literature reviews are used, which are surveys of already published material providing “an indication of the extent to which published scholarship reflects the purpose, interests, and values of a given discipline” (Buboltz, Deemer, & Hoffmann, 2010 ; p. 368). Among literature reviews, systematic reviews – where the existing literature is identified and analyzed according to systematic, explicit, and formal criteria – can be considered an elective tool to provide a summary of the knowledge on a particular subject (Grant & Booth, 2009 ).

In the field of psychotherapy research, systematic literature reviews deal with the research output , in terms of summary and/or critical evaluation of research results . A prototypical example is meta-analysis, in which quantitative statistical procedures evaluate psychotherapy efficacy/ effectiveness (Hofmann, Wu, & Boettcher, 2014 ). However, in the field of psychotherapy, systematic literature reviews deal also with the research process itself, thus summarizing and critically evaluating what has been investigated ( i.e ., the topic of the selected studies: the therapeutic process, therapeutic outcome, relationship between process and outcome, psychotherapy training and/or supervision, etc .) ( e.g . Borkenhagen, 2002 ; Hill & Knox, 2013 ; Hill, Nutt, & Jackson, 1994 ; Manzo, 2010 ; Phillips, Ingram, Smith, & Mindes, 2003 ; Singh & Shelton, 2011 ; Yoon, Langrehr, & Ong, 2011 ) and/or how it has been investigated ( i.e ., the methodology of the selected studies: research designs, measures employed, etc. ; e.g . Borkenhagen, 2002 ; Buboltz et al., 2010 ; Gennaro, Venuleo, Auletta, & Salvatore, 2012 ; Hill & Knox, 2013 ; Hill et al., 1994 ; Manzo, 2010 ; Stewart, Stewart, & Gazda, 1997 ; Yoon et al., 2011 ).

The present work represents a systematic literature review trying to answer the question What does psychotherapy research deal with? Specifically, we aim to identify the topics, namely the issues that psychotherapy researchers are interested in, which animate the research debate and characterize the field of psychotherapy research. Different studies have dealt with this issue. Munley ( 1974 ), reviewing the Journal of Counseling Psychology (JCP) publications between 1954 and 1972 ( N =1,400), highlighted that the most investigated research topics were counseling process and outcome, vocational behavior, and the development and evaluation of measurement tools and tests; moreover, he observed an increasing trend over time in empirical papers. In a more recent work, Buboltz, Miller, and Williams ( 1999 ) reviewed the publications of the JCP in the years 1973-1998 ( N =2,027), showing similar results: process and outcome research topics remained relatively stable from 1974 to 1998, whereas a decreasing trend was found in papers focusing on vocational behavior and psychometric properties of tests and measures. In a further study, Buboltz, Deemer, and Hoffmann ( 2010 ) followed up the study of Buboltz et al. ( 1999 ) by further analyzing the publications of JCP in the years 1999-2009 ( N =514); results showed that the most frequent topics investigated turned toward multiculturalism and/or diversity, development and evaluation of tests and measures, personality and adjustment, outcome research, and interpersonal and/or social support and/or attachment. Moreover, comparing the two studies (Buboltz et al., 1999 , 2010), a decrease in process and process-outcome research, and an increase in outcome research and research on multiculturalism and/or diversity could be observed.

Hill, Nutt and Jackson ( 1994 ) reviewed studies on psychotherapy published in the JCP and the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (JCCP) between 1978 and 1992 ( N =3,145). Results showed that most of the publications of JCP dealt with process, outcome, and analogue research, whereas the publications of JCCP mostly with outcome research. Finally, in another work, Stewart et al. ( 1997 ) examined the published articles in 23 journals dealing with group psychology and group psychotherapy between 1980 and 1995 ( N =9,391). Results showed that the journals in question published more than half of the papers identified mostly on group psychotherapy, followed by papers on group dynamics and on group counselling. It was also possible to observe that the amount of publications on group dynamics was the most consistent over the 16-year interval considered, while a decline was observed for group counselling and group psychotherapy from 1990 to 1994.

Research topics and systematic literature reviews: overcoming actual methodological limitations

Systematically reviewing the publication topics in the field of psychotherapy research provides many insights regarding the scope of the discipline and its possible evolution as it is represented in journal publications, with obvious theoretical ( e.g ., what is the current subject of psychotherapy research? ) as well as practical ( e.g . where should scholars submit their papers? ) implications. However, several limitations could be identified in the works cited above due mainly to the methodology used. First, the content analysis carried out in the existing literature reviews follows a top-down approach (see Mörtl & Gelo, 2015 ): It makes use of a coding scheme defined a-priori by the author(s), with consequent limitations on the explorative nature of literature reviews. Indeed, such an approach reflects the research topics that researchers assume are worth identifying, rather than actually mapping the possible topics emerging by considering the published literature. Second, in existing literature reviews on the topics of psychotherapy and counseling research, the content analysis of the identified literature is carried out by human raters , and is therefore tremendously energy- and time-consuming. A possible implication is that this might limit the amount of papers to be included in a review, and consequently the external validity of the results.

In order to overcome these limitations, Gennaro et al. ( 2012 ) recently conducted an extensive review on the publications of 17 journals in the period 2005-2011 ( N =7,086). The authors employed an innovative procedure of computer-assisted , bottom-up content analysis: the Automated Co-occurrence Analysis for Semantic Mapping (ACASM) (Salvatore et al., 2017; Salvatore, Gennaro, Auletta, Tonti, & Nitti, 2012 ). Most of the existing computerized content analytic methods used in the field of psychotherapy research follow a top-down approach based on pre-defined dictionaries: the content categories to be investigated are defined a-priori by the researcher; with each content category represented by a so-called dictionary containing all the words considered to be representative of that category; finally, the software searches the text-corpus and displays the frequency of how many times each category has been counted ( e.g. Bucci & Maskit, 2006 ; Mergenthaler, 1996 ; Tausczik & Pennebaker, 2010 ). By contrast, ACASM follows a bottom- up approach based on the co-occurrence of lexical items. The researcher selects a dictionary containing the lexical forms characteristic of a specific language; he/she further defines the length of the text unit of analysis (which may vary from one single word to one or more sentences); the software runs a cluster analysis in order to identifies groups ( i.e ., clusters) of lexical items which tend to co-occur over the units of analysis (with each cluster representing a content identified in the analyzed text-corpus); finally, the researcher produces an interpretation of the cluster by providing a name indicating the topic it represents. Thus, the content categories are not defined prior to the analysis, but emerge as a result of it.

In their study to identify the psychotherapy research topics, Gennaro et al. ( 2012 ), focused their analysis on the articles’ keywords; thus, each cluster identified by ACASM represented a group of keywords which tended to co-occur, and was interpreted as a topic emerging from within the literature under consideration. Results showed four clusters, dealing with the following topics: cognitive and behavior treatment, the study of mental disease, intervention on severe mental disorders, and outcome research, methodology, and results.

Research aims

In line with the work of Gennaro et al. ( 2012 ), the present paper aims to empirically map the topics characterizing the current state of psychotherapy research. As in Gennaro et al. ( 2012 ), we make use of a computer-assisted bottom-up content analysis ( i.e ., ACASM; Salvatore et al., 2012 , 2017), with the difference, however, that this will be applied to publications’ abstracts rather than keywords. The idea is that papers’ abstracts could be more indicative and informative about their actual topic than keywords. As a matter of fact, keywords offer a meaningful initial but still rather generic, superficial clue to a paper’s thematic content, whereas abstracts are a more reliable indicator of an article’s thematic content, thus proving more helpful in forming a global picture of the psychotherapy research topics (Blake & Bly, 1993 ). Reading abstracts is acknowledged as a widespread and time saving way to identify the content of scientific production and it can represent a very useful source of information when, as here, it is used to form a global picture of the research topics in the whole literature. However, we are aware of warnings about the limitations of abstracts, as for example that sometimes research results are not accurately reported or over-interpreted (Pitkin & Branagan, 1998 ; Yavchitz et al., 2012 ), or that the information provided could be incomplete compared with the content of the full publication (Hopewell, 2008 ).

Moreover, the present work will also focus on the temporal trend research topics might present, since this could offer precious information in order to detect the evolution of psychotherapy research with regard to its topics. Finally, the journals’ thematic orientation ( i.e ., the research topic distribution among the different journals) will be analyzed in order to offer insights regarding the different contents of scientific production in the field of psychotherapy research in different journals, as well as to provide an orientation for scholars when deciding where to submit their work.

In summary, the present study’s aims are: i) to identify the research topics characterizing psychotherapy research; ii) to track their trend over time; iii) and to analyze their distribution among different journals.

A sample of 10 journals was selected as representative of the field of psychotherapy research. Journals were selected in accordance with the following procedure. First, the past presidents (from 1970 to 2013) of the Society for Psychotherapy Research were contacted by mail and asked to provide a ranked list of what they considered to be the 5 most representative journals in the field of psychotherapy research. The responding past presidents (24 out 35 contacted) answered our request indicating an overall number of 25 different journals (see Acknowledgements). Second, each rank was assigned to a representativeness score (1 st rank=1.00; 2 nd rank=0.8; 3 th rank=0.6; 4 th =0.4; 5 th rank=0.2), then the 10 journals presenting the highest representativeness score were chosen as the base to retrieve the articles examined in our systematic review. Finally, we selected all the original contributions (theoretical and empirical studies) from each of the selected journals published from 2000-2016.

We considered this period wide enough to provide a reliable picture of the actual topics characterizing the current state of the field. From the (N=18,819) records collected, N=5,320 records – consisting of commentaries, introduction to special issues and to special sections, editorials, presidential addresses, acknowledgments, book and video reviews, book forums, letters to the editor, indexes, errata , and obituaries – were not included in our sample because they do not meet the inclusion criteria (they were considered not to provide any original research contribution). In the event of discrepancies between judges, the articles were revised through discussions in order to reach consensus on coding. As a result of this sampling procedure, a total of N =13,499 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and were collected using Summon database. Subsequently, the abstracts of each article were extracted, and subjected to data analysis (see Figure 1 – based on the PRISMA Group: Moher, Liberati, Tetzlaff, & Altman, 2009 – and Table 1 ).

Data analysis

Automated co-occurrence analysis for semantic mapping method.

In order to identify the topics ( i.e ., thematic content) characterizing the field of psychotherapy research (research question 1), the ACASM was applied (Salvatore et al., 2012 , 2017). ACASM is a bottom-up, context-sensitive automated method of textual analysis, aimed at supporting interpretation of textual data. The choice to adopt such a text analytic method for data analysis is due to its reliability in retrieving thematic contents and to its low inferential and time saving characteristics (Salvatore et al., 2012 , 2017). A first study highlighted that ACASM’s ability to categorize the semantic contents ( i.e ., topics) of good outcome experiential psychotherapy transcripts was functionally equivalent to the semantic analysis carried out by human raters on the same session transcripts (Salvatore et al., 2012 ). Furthermore, Salvatore et al. showed that the case interpretation provided by clinicians relying on the ACASM analysis of a good outcome psychodynamic psychotherapy was as reliable as the case interpretation provided by clinicians relying on the verbatim transcripts of the same sessions.

ACASM is a bottom-up procedure of text analysis based on explicit, invariant rules of coding and yet able to take the contextuality of meaning into account (Salvatore et al., 2012 , p. 258; italic added). ACASM is aimed at extrapolating thematic contents ( i.e ., semantic meanings) active in the text. Each thematic content is characterized by a cluster of words which tend to co-occur ( i.e ., to be associated with each other) throughout the text (Lancia, 2004 ). Such sets of co-occurring words are identified by means of invariant but context-sensitive computational rules automatically implemented by an ad-hoc software. ACASM is a specimen of a broader class of methods for computer-assisted semantic analysis focusing on the cooccurrence of lexical units ( e.g ., ALCESTE, Reinert, 1993 ; Latent Semantic Analysis, Chung & Pennebaker, 2008 ; Landauer & Dumais, 1997 ; Meaning Extraction Method, Max, 1993 ; Wolf, Chung, & Kordy, 2010 ).The main specificity of ACASM is that it adopts a single sentence or a group of a few sentences as its unit of context (the unit of context is the segment of text within which co-occurrences are detected).

Flow diagram of study selection (the figure has been created according to PRISMA group indications).

Distribution of the publications among the sampled journals and over time.

The journal’s Impact Factor (IF) depicted in the table represents the average IF of that journal over the considered time-span.

Retrieved abstracts were firstly subjected to ACASM analysis. To this end, the following operations were performed (see Salvatore et al., 2010 for more details on the procedure). Elementary Context Units were identified (ECUs) according to the following criteria: i) Each ECU begins just after the end of the previous ECU; ii) each ECU ends after the first punctuation mark (‘.’, or ‘!’, or ‘?’) occurring after the threshold of 2000 characters from the first character; iii) if an ECU is longer than 2000 characters, it ends with the last word found within such a length, even if there is no punctuation mark. According to such threshold, each abstract corresponded to an ECU. Then, a dictionary for the text-analysis was constructed. In order to do this, each lexical form present in the abstracts under analysis were categorized into the lemma it belongs to. This produced a list of lemmas present in the analyzed textual corpus. In order to exclude the highly frequent lemmas, the first 5% were excluded; this was done since very high-frequency lemmas (such as to , and , of , etc .) tend to co-occur in too many different ECUs, reducing their ability to discriminate among different patterns of co-occurrence. In so doing we obtained a list corresponding to 980 lemmas.

The textual corpus was digitally represented in terms of a matrix displaying the ECUs ( i.e ., each abstract) in rows and lemmas in columns; the cell x ij received the value ‘1’ if the j th lemma was contained in the i th ECU, the value ‘0’ otherwise. A cluster analysis (Aldenderfer & Blashfield, 1984 ) was applied to the matrix in order to group the ECUs into clusters, using the co-occurrence of lemmas among the ECUs as criterion of similarity – in this way, each cluster could be considered a thematic content active in the textual corpus, since it contained abstracts sharing a similar pattern of co-occurring lemmas, therefore a semantic content. The number of clusters in which the text is segmented was established using an iterative algorithm; the procedure of clustering stops when further partitions produce no further significant improvement of the inter/intra cluster ratio, which means that increasing the number of clusters does not produce an appreciable increment of information (this procedure is analogous to the saturation process in bottom-up qualitative analyses, through which informational redundancy is reached; Mörtl & Gelo, 2015 ). Finally, each of these clusters was labeled through a consensus-reaching procedure by three judges experienced in text analysis, supervised at regular intervals by an auditor (Hill et al., 2005 ).

Once the research topics had been identified through the ACASM method, a set of chi-square analyses were carried out in order to investigate respectively the distributions of research topics over time according to three major time periods: 2000-2005, 2006-2010, and 2011-2016 (research question 2), and on the other hand the distribution of topics retrieved in the selected journal over time (research question 3). For a more accurate reading, adjusted standard residuals were retrieved. Adjusted standard residuals are normally distributed, thus cells having absolute values greater than the critical value N (0,1)1− α /2=1.96 will have raw p-values of less than 0.05 (for a two-sided test). In so doing post-hoc hypotheses tests on standardized residuals were tested.

Research topics

In accordance with the ACASM method, the cluster analysis was run on the data matrix having as rows the 13,499 abstracts and 980 lemmas as columns; each ij - th cell reported the relative frequency of the j-th lemma in the i-th abstract. cluster analysis led to group keywords in sets of maximum inner homogeneity and maximum outer divergence. This procedure allowed us to retrieve 5 clusters as optimal partition. Each cluster is interpreted as identifying one specific topic, since it is depicted by a particular aggregation of co-occurring lemmas ( Table 2 ).

Cluster 1: Clinical relationship

This cluster represents 21.26% of the abstracts analyzed. This cluster groups research works dealing with the clinical relationship in terms of development, comparison of specific variables among groups and treatments, and outcome predictions and/or associations.

Cluster 2: Clinical efficacy

The 20.82% of the abstracts analyzed are grouped in this cluster. The cluster accounts for studies and research work testing the ability of psychotherapeutic treatments to achieve the intended outcome by means of randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Cluster 3: Clinical practice and research

In this cluster, we found 19.52% of the papers analyzed. It considers papers dealing with professional practice and training, and research-practice bridging.

Cluster 4: Psychopathology

This cluster represents19.43% of the abstracts analyzed. The studies grouped in this cluster concern disorder assessment and identification of risk behaviors both in inpatient and outpatient settings.

Cluster 5: Neuroscientific approaches to mental disorders

This cluster represents 18.97% of the abstracts under analysis. This cluster covers studies dealing with neurological or neurobiological factors, abnormalities of specific cortical areas intervening in psychiatric and psychological impairments.

Research topics over time

The first set of chi-square-analyses highlighted meaningful differences concerning the distribution of clusters identified ( i.e . research topics) over time (χ 2 =199.26; df =8; p .=.000). The adjusted residuals’ analysis ( Table 3 ) reveals a slightly decreasing trend in research work dealing with neuroscientific approaches to mental disorders (cluster 5), clinical practice and research (cluster 3), and psychopathology (cluster 4),while there is an increasing trend in clinical relationship (cluster 1) and clinical efficacy studies (cluster 2).

Lemmas and related Chi-squares for each identified cluster.

Research topics among journals

A second set of chi-square analyses highlighted the distribution of each research clusters ( i.e . research topics) among the different journals ( Table 4 ). The chi-square test proved significant (χ 2 =12740.06; df =36; p .=.000). It was possible to identify differences concerning the distribution of articles published in the different journals ( Table 4 ). Specifically, the topic clinical relationship presents higher occurrences in five out of ten journals: Journal of Counseling Psychology (Adj. res=39.9) and Psychotherapy Research (Adj. res=38.1), followed by Psychology and Psychotherapy (Adj. res=15.9) and by Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice and Training (Adj. res=8.5) and Behavior Therapy (Adj. res=6.2). The topic of clinical efficacy presents higher prevalence in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (Adj. res=36.1), followed by Behavior Therapy (Adj. res=10.5). The topics of neuroscientific approaches to mental disorders and psychopathology present a high prevalence in the American Journal of Psychiatry (Adj. res=42.3 and 17.4, respectively) and in the Archives of General Psychiatry (Adj. res=32 and 25.4, respectively). Finally, the clinical practice and research topic is prevalent in Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice (Adj. res=42.7), Journal of Clinical Psychology (Adj. res=30.8), and in Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice and Training (Adj. res=27.7).

The present paper aimed at providing a systematic review of the research topics in the field of psychotherapy by means of a computer-assisted, bottom-up content analysis, as well as their distribution over time and among sources of publication.

With regard of our first research aim, it was possible to identify five research topics: clinical relationship , clinical efficacy , clinical practice and research , psychopathology , and neuroscientific approaches to mental disorders . Each research topic covered about one in five of the overall scientific production, thus testifying that the scientific production in the field is quite equally distributed among these topics. The research topics identified seem to have a good face validity insofar as they refer to constructs which most scholars would acknowledge as relevant in the field of psychotherapy research.

Consider the research topic of clinical efficacy – the second most frequent in our sample – which deals with the investigation of the effects of psychotherapeutic techniques/ methods in highly controlled experimental settings (Lambert, 2013b ; Leichsenring, 2004 ). Clinical efficacy has been a major interest since the birth of modern psychotherapy research, back in the ‘50s, in response to Eysenck’s attack on the effects of psychotherapy (according to which clients’ recovery simply reflected spontaneous remission (Braakmann, 2015 ; Eysenck, 1952 ). Eysenck’s attack had a tremendous catalyst effect on the application and further development of quantitative methods for the investigation of psychotherapy outcome which has led, nowadays, to the implementation of RCTs. The latter, to date, are considered the gold standard to produce the best research evidence for demonstrating that a therapy works, as reflected in the criteria of the Task Force of the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 12 (Clinical Psychology) for empirically supported treatments (ESTs; Chambless & Hollon, 1998 ),within the more general framework of the evidence-based practice (EBP) movement (American Psychological Association, Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice, 2006 ). Our results show that an EBP-based, EST-oriented approach to the investigation of therapeutic efficacy is (still) a primary concern for current psychotherapy research (Gennaro et al., 2012 ; Gelo et al., 2019).

Chi-square test’s residuals about the distribution of research topic over time.

Adj. Res., Adjusted Standard Residual (P<.05 for Adj.Res.>1.96).

Chi-square test’s residuals about the distribution of research topics among journals.

Another topic which emerged very clearly in the field of psychotherapy research is the clinical relationship , which addresses the ongoing therapeutic relationship between client and therapist during the treatment. Research on the therapeutic relationship began in the ‘60s with Rogers and his research group, but it has witnessed a huge growth only starting from the ‘80s, as a result of the metaanalytic findings suggesting the therapeutic equivalence of different therapeutic approaches (Braakmann, 2015 ; Wampold & Imel, 2015 ). Since then, in the attempt to identify therapeutic factors which are common to the different orientations – the so called common therapeutic factors (McAleavey & Castonguay, 2015 ; Wampold & Imel, 2015 ), researchers have increasingly turned their attention to the role of the therapeutic relationship (Budge & Wampold, 2015 ) and of other constructs strictly related to it, such as the therapeutic alliance (Flückiger, Del Re, Wampold, Symonds, & Horvath, 2012 ) and attachment (Daniel, 2006 ), especially with the aim of identifying client and therapist related factors contributing to these phenomena. This increasing interest has been manifested to such an extent that it might be possible to talk of an interpersonal turn in psychotherapy research (Lingiardi, Holmqvist, & Safran, 2016 ; Wachtel, 2008 ; for a critical discussion, see Slife & Wiggins, 2009). Moreover, this interest is today testified by the joint effort of the APA Division 29 (Psychotherapy) and Division 12 (Clinical Psychology) which, as a reaction to some of the perceived limitations of the ESTs, established a Task Force to disseminate information on empirically supported relationships (ESRs; Kazantzis, Cronin, Norton, Lai, & Hofmann, 2015 ; Norcross, 2011 ). Within the more general aim of offering an additional framework for integrating the best research evidence with clinical expertise coherent with the EBP movement (American Psychological Association, Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice, 2006 ), this Task Force intended to identify i) the “ effective elements of the psychotherapy relationship” ( What works in general in the therapy relationship? ) and ii) the “effective methods of adapting or tailoring therapy to the individual patient” ( What works best for particular patients? ) (Norcross, 2011 ; p.vii). Our results indicate that current psychotherapy research, in the attempt to further understand why therapy works, with whom, and under which conditions (Roth & Fonagy, 2005 ) within the context of EBP, has now moved beyond the main interest in the technical aspects of a treatment, embracing also the role that relational factors may have in psychotherapeutic change.

The third research topic was clinical practice and research, which is comprised mainly – though not exclusively – of theoretical-methodological papers and narrative reviews dealing with different aspects of professional practice and training on one hand, and of researchpractice bridging on the other. Concerning the first aspect, the identification of such a research topic actually testifies the increasing interest that the psychotherapy research landscape has come to show with regard to aspects regarding professional development and training. Such an interest in the field is attested, for example, by the inclusion, for the first time, of an empirical review on training and supervision in the last edition of Bergin and Garfield’s handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change (Hill & Knox, 2013 ). Another example is the establishment of an interest section on therapist training and development in the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPRISTAD; e.g . Rønnestad, Orlinsky, Schröder, Skovholt, & Willutzki, 2018 ). Regarding the second aspect, our results testify to the interest shown by current psychotherapy research in describing the so-called science-practice gap and in trying to identify ways to address it (Boisvert & Faust, 2006 ; Gaudiano & Miller, 2013 ; Lilienfeld, Ritschel, Lynn, Cautin, & Latzman, 2013 ; Newnham & Page, 2010 ; Safran, Abreu, Ogilvie, & DeMaria, 2011 ). The science-practice gap is related to the extent of integration between psychotherapeutic science and psychotherapeutic practice, and can be described as the gap existing between “the output generated by research protocols, such as treatment manuals, and the use of such output by clinicians in the trenches of clinical work” (Lilienfeld et al., 2013 ; p. 894). Actually, the development of the EBP movement mentioned above – both with regard to ESTs and ESRs – can be considered one of the main attempts to promote such a scientist-practitioner integration, in order to bridge this gap. In fact, EBP can be defined as comprising “the thoughtful integration of the best available scientific evidence concerning psychotherapy with clinical expertise and client preferences/values” (Lilienfeld et al., 2013 ; p. 886). However, notwithstanding this attempt, a controversy actually exists regarding the extent to which the current EBP approach can effectively reduce the science-practice gap. Apart from the many possible causes responsible for such a gap (Lilienfeld et al., 2013 ), the heart of the controversy seems to revolve around the question of best-research evidence, that is, what qualifies as evidence (Stiles et al., 2006 ; Stewart, Stirman, & Chambless, 2012 ; for a critical discussion, see Slife, Wiggins, & Graham, 2005 ).Coherently with this observation, a practice-based evidence approach has been proposed, which represents a shift in how we think about evidence, complementing rather than replacing the research that informs the evidence-based practice guidelines (Green & Latchford, 2012 , p. 87). Based on our results, the literature on psychotherapy research seems to be particularly sensitive to this issue.

The fourth research topic identified in our results was psychopathology . Papers within this cluster dealt mainly with prevalence and risk factors especially of mood disorders, suicide behavior, and substance abuse, mostly but not exclusively in the adult population. Thus, this topic reflects the interest of current psychotherapy researchers in the investigation of severe psychopathological syndromes from a psychiatric perspective. Such a result is interesting insofar as it suggests, coherently with previous investigations (Gennaro et al., 2012 ), that psychotherapy research focuses not only on the investigation of different aspects of psychotherapeutic treatments and forms of intervention (see the research topics discussed above; Lambert, 2013a , 2013b ), but also on the investigation of the disorders themselves which are the subject of clinical interventions. This result, which might appear relatively surprising to at least some of the scholars who are generally familiar with an idea of psychotherapy research as a discipline mainly concerned with the treatment of mental suffering (rather than with mental suffering itself), indicates that psychopathology represents a topic for psychotherapy research insofar as it is considered from a psychiatric perspective. Indeed, this result can be explained considering the presence in our sample of two psychiatric journals (out of a total of 10 journals) which, together, account for almost 40% of the total number of papers analyzed (Table 1; see below for a discussion).

Finally, we identified the research topic neuroscientific approaches to mental disorders , dealing with papers focusing on neurobiological correlates of different mental disorders mainly – though not exclusively – investigated by means of neuroimaging techniques. This research topic is related to the research topic psychopathology just discussed above, nevertheless in this cluster the mental disorders are investigated and explained with reference to their neurobiological substrates and/or impairments. This result can be explained considering the extremely high rates of papers published by the two psychiatric journals included in our sample (see below for a discussion). Interestingly, this cluster does not include studies aimed at investigating the neural correlates of treatment response and, even less, treatment mediators , which are considered by many psychotherapy researchers to allow a better understanding of how psychotherapeutic interventions achieve their efficacy (Caspar, 2015 ; Weingarten & Strauman, 2015 ).Thus, it would seem that, in the field of psychotherapy research, the neuroscientific approaches are still a prerogative of a psychiatric approach to psychopathology, and a lot still has to be done in order to employ such a paradigm within outcome, process, and process-outcome research.

Trend over time

With regard to our second research question, our results showed that these different research topics present a different trend over the time-frame considered (2000-2016), with the two most frequent research topics (clinical relationship and clinical efficacy) increasing over time, and the other three (clinical practice and research, psychopathology, and neuroscientific approaches to mental disorders) decreasing ( Table 3 ). The increase in the first two research topics seems to be indicative of a growing commitment of psychotherapy researchers toward an evidence- based psychotherapeutic practice, where the effort is concentrated on identifying the technical (ESTs) and relational (ESRs) treatment elements through which therapy works (Chambless & Hollon, 1998 ; Norcross, 2011 ). Based on this, we might say that “the call for evidencebased practice is increasingly influencing psychotherapy” (Gaudiano & Miller, 2013 ; p. 814).

Interestingly, the increased attention to the first two research topics was paralleled by a decreased interest in the topic of clinical practice and research. Thus, it might seem that psychotherapy researchers, while increasingly embracing an EBP paradigm, are slowly pushing a more general reflection and discussion on different aspects of professional practice and training and of research-practice bridging into the background. If this were to be the case, we would not see it favorably. Indeed, while we do believe in the potential of an EBP approach, we also believe that a critical reflection on it, together with the constant effort to question and possibly further articulate it, should be a primary aim of psychotherapy research (for a review and discussion on critical thinking as disciplinary practice, see Yanchar, Slife, & Warne, 2008 ; see also Gelo et al., 2019).

Finally, the falling number of publications concerning the research topics of psychopathology and neuroscientific approaches to mental disorders might be indicative of the fact the such an approach is slowly losing ground in the field of psychotherapy research.

Distribution among journals

Finally, concerning the third research question, our results showed a different distribution of the research topics among the journals considered. First of all, it should be observed that the topics of clinical relationship, clinical efficacy, and clinical practice and research are mostly published by the eight non-psychiatric journals of our sample, while the topics of psychopathology and neuroscientific approaches to mental disorders by the remaining two psychiatric journals ( Table 4 ). This last result is coherent with the psychiatric orientation of the two latter topics, which has been discussed above. Based on this, it might be said that the topics of psychotherapy research, together with the journals publishing them, can be distinguished in having a non-psychiatric ( i.e ., more strictly psychotherapeutic) vs psychiatric orientation. Interesting to observe, Behavior Therapy was the only school-specific journal present in our sample based on the indications of the ex SPR-presidents, thus indicating how relevant empirical research is for cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy compared to other specific therapeutic approaches.

Second, the research topic clinical relationship was associated with five (out of 10) journals in our sample, while each other research topic was associated only with two journals ( Table 4 ). Thus, in this regard, clinical relationship is the most widespread topic among the different journals examined – followed equally by the other topics – coherently with the relational orientation of current psychotherapy research already discussed above.

A final observation can be made by taking into account the Impact Factor (IF) of the different journals. The journals with the highest IF (12.84 for Archives of General Psychiatry and 10.41 for American Journal of Psychiatry ) mostly publish the topics of psychopathology and neuroscientific approaches to mental disorders. These are followed by a journal with the third highest IF (4.45 for Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology ), which is associated with the topic of clinical efficacy. Finally, we have the remaining journals, whose IF ranges between 2.30 and 1.04, publishing the topics of clinical efficacy, clinical relationship, and clinical practice and research. Thus, it would seem that the psychiatric-oriented topics are the most cited and widespread, followed by clinical efficacy and, to finish with, clinical relationship, and clinical practice and research. Such a result can be useful for scholars deciding where to submit their papers, showing that journals with an extremely high or very high IF are actually dedicated mostly to a narrow set of topics: psychopathology and neuroscientific approaches to mental disorders for the two psychiatric-oriented journals ( Archives of General Psychiatry and American Journal of Psychiatry ) and clinical efficacy for the best IF-ranked non-psychiatric-oriented journal ( Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology ). By contrast, if scholars are willing to publish papers dealing with clinical relationship and/or clinical practice and research, they should opt for journals with a lower IF.

Limitations and future studies

The present study presents some limitations. First, we analyzed only the first 10 journals obtained by the ranked list of all the journals that the SPR past-presidents identified as the most representative in the field. Future studies should enlarge the sample to the whole set of journals identified by them. Second, the sample of journals investigated is necessarily biased by the choice made by SPR past-presidents – and thus, by their scientific and cultural milieu. Although we do believe that such a choice may be quite authoritative – considering that SPR is actually the biggest society devoted to the investigation of psychotherapy – we cannot ignore the fact that this may have influenced our findings. Future studies should broaden the criteria used to identify target journals, for example by means of a survey asking practitioners which are, in their view, the most representative psychotherapy research journals. Third, the selected time-frame (2000-2016), though relatively broad – especially for this kind of systematic reviews – might be broadened, in order to offer an even more representative picture of the topics of psychotherapy research, their temporal trend, and their association with the journals. Fourth, future studies might attempt to map the semantic relation between the clusters, in order to provide a deeper understanding of the semantic landscape of the psychotherapy research field. Fifth, future research might apply the methodology used in the present study within single journals, in order to identify, to a higher degree of specificity, the topic characteristics for the chosen journal.

Conclusions

The present study aimed at systematically reviewing the literature on psychotherapy research by means of an innovative procedure of computer-assisted bottom-up content analysis, trying to answer the question What does psychotherapy research deal with? In the context of the journal sample and time-frame selected, it was possible to identify the main topics psychotherapy research is currently concerned with, their temporal trend, and their association with the publishing journals. From a theoretical perspective, our findings provide food for thought about what psychotherapy researchers are mainly concerned with, which may be helpful for a meta-theoretical reflection on the current position of the discipline and where it is heading. From a more pragmatic perspective, the map of the journals’ thematic orientation may be helpful in orienting scholars when deciding to submit their papers. With this regard, it has to be underlined that the such a map must not be intended as an objective, detailed representation of the ever-changing scenario of psychotherapy research. Rather, it has to be seen as an interpretative device useful for deepening the understanding of the current status of research in the field (Gennaro et al., 2012 ). Finally, from a methodological perspective, our findings show the utility of adopting quali-quantitative method of content analysis, where multidimensional techniques of data analysis ground and support the researcher’s interpretative task, rather than replacing it, as tools to provide a meaningful picture of a scenario as complex as psychotherapy research (Salvatore et al., 2017 , 2012 ). A picture, moreover, that already at the current level of definition may provide hints about the Journals’ scientificcultural policies – a rather important issue with pragmatic implications at the institutional and individual level.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following SPR past presidents who replied to our survey: Lynne Angus, Lorna Smith Benjamin, Larry E. Beutler, Louis G. Castonguay, John Clarkin, Paul Crits-Christoph, Guillermo de la Parra, Irene Elkin, Robert Elliot, Marvin R. Goldfried, Leslie S. Greenberg, Alan S. Gurman, Clara E. Hill, Mardi J. Horowitz, Horst Kächele, Michael J. Lambert, Erhard Mergenthaler, David E. Orlinksy, William E. Piper, George Silberschatz, William B. Stiles, Bernhard Strauß, Jeanne Watson, Hadas Wiseman.

Funding Statement

Funding: None.

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80 Counseling Psychology Research Topics

FacebookXEmailWhatsAppRedditPinterestLinkedInIf you are a student seeking compelling research topics in Counseling Psychology, you have come to the right place. Embarking on a research journey is an exciting and intellectually rewarding endeavour for students pursuing degrees at various levels, whether undergraduate, master’s or doctoral. When it comes to Counseling Psychology, a field that delves into understanding […]

If you are a student seeking compelling research topics in Counseling Psychology, you have come to the right place. Embarking on a research journey is an exciting and intellectually rewarding endeavour for students pursuing degrees at various levels, whether undergraduate, master’s or doctoral. When it comes to Counseling Psychology, a field that delves into understanding and alleviating emotional and psychological distress, choosing suitable research topics can be a critical first step. Research in Counseling Psychology encompasses many areas, from exploring the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions to unravelling the intricacies of human behaviour and mental health. In this blog post, we will delve into Counseling Psychology research topics, offering you a curated list that caters to different levels of academic pursuit, ultimately aiding you in your quest to contribute to this vital field of study.

Counselling Psychology, often interchangeably referred to as “psychological counseling,” “therapeutic psychology,” and “clinical counseling”, is a branch of psychology dedicated to helping individuals navigate the challenges of life by providing therapeutic support and guidance.

A List Of Potential Research Topics In Counseling Psychology:

• Assessing the long-term outcomes of group therapy for survivors of childhood trauma.
• Exploring the role of spirituality in coping with grief and loss.
• Analyzing the use of bibliotherapy in promoting mental health and well-being.
• A critical review of the ethical challenges in teletherapy and online counselling practice.
• Assessing the impact of counsellor training programs on ethical decision-making.
• Investigating the experiences of counsellors working with incarcerated populations.
• A systematic review of cultural competence training programs for mental health professionals.
• Assessing the effectiveness of narrative therapy in promoting resilience in adolescents.
• Exploring the role of family therapy in the treatment of substance abuse.
• Investigating the role of self-compassion in preventing and treating self-harming behaviours.
• Investigating the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers in accessing counselling services in the UK.
• Assessing the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy in couples counselling.
• Analyzing the effects of pandemic-induced changes in work and lifestyle on mental health outcomes.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing symptoms of PTSD.
• Assessing the effectiveness of culturally adapted interventions for refugees and immigrants.
• Investigating the role of online support groups in reducing pandemic-related anxiety and depression.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of virtual reality exposure therapy in treating phobias.
• Counselling Psychology and Developmental Psychology : Exploring the impact of early childhood experiences on adult mental health in counselling psychology.
• Investigating the experiences of first-generation college students in seeking counselling services.
• Investigating the influence of pandemic-related stressors on marital relationships and couples’ counselling needs.
• Evaluating the influence of therapist-client alliance on treatment outcomes in couples counselling.
• Examining the role of vaccination and public health measures in reducing COVID-19-related anxiety and distress.
• Analyzing the effects of online gaming addiction and interventions for affected individuals.
• Assessing the effectiveness of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) for borderline personality disorder (BPD).
• Exploring the experiences of counsellors working with military veterans with PTSD.
• Exploring the impact of cultural competency training on counselling psychologists’ ability to work with diverse populations.
• Analyzing the effects of gender-related stressors on mental health in transgender individuals.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of career counselling interventions for mid-career professionals.
• Exploring the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in religiously affiliated counselling programs.
• Investigating the role of self-compassion in reducing perfectionism and anxiety among college students.
• Investigating the impact of counsellor burnout on client outcomes.
• Exploring the long-term mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers.
• Examining the role of social support in recovering individuals with substance use disorders.
• A comprehensive review of evidence-based interventions for treating anxiety disorders in adults.
• Investigating the use of art therapy in promoting emotional expression and healing in cancer patients.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of online group therapy for individuals with social anxiety.
• Analyzing the effects of narrative therapy on individuals with a history of trauma.
• Assessing the role of spirituality and religion in mental health support in the UK.
• Exploring the use of technology in delivering mental health services post-COVID-19.
• Examining the role of attachment theory in understanding and treating adult relationship issues.
• Assessing the accessibility and effectiveness of NHS-funded counselling services in the UK.
• Examining animal-assisted therapy in school settings to support children with ADHD.
• A systematic review of the effectiveness of psychotherapy approaches for treating depression.
• Assessing the effectiveness of resilience-building interventions for individuals recovering from COVID-19.
• Investigating the use of creative arts therapy in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Assessing the impact of counsellor advocacy on policy changes in mental health services.
• Analyzing the use of digital mental health interventions in the UK healthcare system.
• Exploring the impact of counsellor self-disclosure on therapeutic outcomes in group therapy.
• Counselling Psychology and Educational Psychology : The Role of school counsellors in Enhancing Students’ academic and emotional development.
• Examining the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adult mental health.
• Analyzing the experiences of children and adolescents in coping with remote learning challenges during the pandemic.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of online support groups for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Examining the impact of social isolation and loneliness on mental health in the post-COVID era.
• Assessing the impact of school-based counselling on children’s academic achievement and emotional well-being.
• Examining the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes in adolescents.
• An integrative review of the role of attachment theory in counselling and psychotherapy.
• Investigating the use of virtual reality exposure therapy for social anxiety disorder.
• Investigating the impact of Brexit-related stress on the mental health of EU citizens living in the UK.
• A meta-synthesis of qualitative research on the experiences of clients in psychotherapy.
• Investigating the relationship between childhood adversity and adult attachment patterns.
• Exploring the experiences of counsellors providing telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Assessing the effectiveness of school-based mental health programs in the UK.
• Analyzing the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in accessing mental health support in the UK.
• A comprehensive review of interventions to prevent and treat self-harming behaviours in adolescents.
• Assessing the effectiveness of play therapy in treating childhood behavioural disorders.
• Counselling Psychology and Health Psychology : Integrating behavioural interventions into counselling for managing chronic health conditions.
• Exploring the role of cultural humility in counselling practice with diverse clients.
• Exploring the experiences of counsellors working with survivors of human trafficking.
• Assessing the effectiveness of teletherapy in providing mental health support during and post-COVID-19.
• Exploring the experiences of counsellors providing therapy to children with selective mutism.
• Investigating the relationship between attachment styles and relationship satisfaction in romantic couples.
• Examining the influence of cultural factors on help-seeking behaviour among minority populations.
• Examining the effectiveness of online counselling for individuals experiencing depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Examining the relationship between self-esteem and body image in individuals with eating disorders.
• Assessing the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Assessing the efficacy of animal-assisted therapy for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Analyzing the effectiveness of trauma-informed care in substance abuse treatment.
• Examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health policies and services in the UK.
• Examining the role of cultural diversity in counselling practice within the UK context.
• Examining the impact of counsellor self-care practices on job satisfaction and client outcomes.

In Counseling Psychology, the journey of research is a path illuminated by the potential to transform lives and advance our understanding of the human psyche. With a comprehensive list of research topics spanning undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, you now possess the tools to embark on your academic odyssey. These topics encompass the richness and diversity of Counseling Psychology, from examining the effectiveness of counselling techniques to exploring the nuances of mental health in various populations. As you choose your research topic and embark on your dissertation journey, remember that your contribution can shape this field’s future and improve countless individuals’ lives. Happy researching!

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50+ Research Topics for Psychology Papers

How to Find Psychology Research Topics for Your Student Paper

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.

• Specific Branches of Psychology
• Topics Involving a Disorder or Type of Therapy
• Human Cognition
• Human Development
• Critique of Publications
• Famous Experiments
• Historical Figures
• Specific Careers
• Case Studies
• Literature Reviews
• Your Own Study/Experiment

Are you searching for a great topic for your psychology paper ? Sometimes it seems like coming up with topics of psychology research is more challenging than the actual research and writing. Fortunately, there are plenty of great places to find inspiration and the following list contains just a few ideas to help get you started.

Finding a solid topic is one of the most important steps when writing any type of paper. It can be particularly important when you are writing a psychology research paper or essay. Psychology is such a broad topic, so you want to find a topic that allows you to adequately cover the subject without becoming overwhelmed with information.

I can always tell when a student really cares about the topic they chose; it comes through in the writing. My advice is to choose a topic that genuinely interests you, so you’ll be more motivated to do thorough research.

In some cases, such as in a general psychology class, you might have the option to select any topic from within psychology's broad reach. Other instances, such as in an  abnormal psychology  course, might require you to write your paper on a specific subject such as a psychological disorder.

As you begin your search for a topic for your psychology paper, it is first important to consider the guidelines established by your instructor.

Research Topics Within Specific Branches of Psychology

The key to selecting a good topic for your psychology paper is to select something that is narrow enough to allow you to really focus on the subject, but not so narrow that it is difficult to find sources or information to write about.

One approach is to narrow your focus down to a subject within a specific branch of psychology. For example, you might start by deciding that you want to write a paper on some sort of social psychology topic. Next, you might narrow your focus down to how persuasion can be used to influence behavior .

Other social psychology topics you might consider include:

• Prejudice and discrimination (i.e., homophobia, sexism, racism)
• Social cognition
• Person perception
• Social control and cults
• Persuasion, propaganda, and marketing
• Attraction, romance, and love
• Nonverbal communication
• Prosocial behavior

Psychology Research Topics Involving a Disorder or Type of Therapy

Exploring a psychological disorder or a specific treatment modality can also be a good topic for a psychology paper. Some potential abnormal psychology topics include specific psychological disorders or particular treatment modalities, including:

• Eating disorders
• Borderline personality disorder
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Antisocial personality disorder
• Profile a  type of therapy  (i.e., cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, psychoanalytic therapy)

Topics of Psychology Research Related to Human Cognition

Some of the possible topics you might explore in this area include thinking, language, intelligence, and decision-making. Other ideas might include:

• False memories
• Speech disorders
• Problem-solving

Topics of Psychology Research Related to Human Development

In this area, you might opt to focus on issues pertinent to  early childhood  such as language development, social learning, or childhood attachment or you might instead opt to concentrate on issues that affect older adults such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Some other topics you might consider include:

• Language acquisition
• Media violence and children
• Learning disabilities
• Gender roles
• Child abuse
• Prenatal development
• Parenting styles
• Aspects of the aging process

Do a Critique of Publications Involving Psychology Research Topics

One option is to consider writing a critique paper of a published psychology book or academic journal article. For example, you might write a critical analysis of Sigmund Freud's Interpretation of Dreams or you might evaluate a more recent book such as Philip Zimbardo's  The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil .

Professional and academic journals are also great places to find materials for a critique paper. Browse through the collection at your university library to find titles devoted to the subject that you are most interested in, then look through recent articles until you find one that grabs your attention.

Topics of Psychology Research Related to Famous Experiments

There have been many fascinating and groundbreaking experiments throughout the history of psychology, providing ample material for students looking for an interesting term paper topic. In your paper, you might choose to summarize the experiment, analyze the ethics of the research, or evaluate the implications of the study. Possible experiments that you might consider include:

• The Milgram Obedience Experiment
• The Stanford Prison Experiment
• The Little Albert Experiment
• Pavlov's Conditioning Experiments
• The Asch Conformity Experiment
• Harlow's Rhesus Monkey Experiments

Topics of Psychology Research About Historical Figures

One of the simplest ways to find a great topic is to choose an interesting person in the  history of psychology  and write a paper about them. Your paper might focus on many different elements of the individual's life, such as their biography, professional history, theories, or influence on psychology.

While this type of paper may be historical in nature, there is no need for this assignment to be dry or boring. Psychology is full of fascinating figures rife with intriguing stories and anecdotes. Consider such famous individuals as Sigmund Freud, B.F. Skinner, Harry Harlow, or one of the many other  eminent psychologists .

Psychology Research Topics About a Specific Career

​Another possible topic, depending on the course in which you are enrolled, is to write about specific career paths within the  field of psychology . This type of paper is especially appropriate if you are exploring different subtopics or considering which area interests you the most.

In your paper, you might opt to explore the typical duties of a psychologist, how much people working in these fields typically earn, and the different employment options that are available.

Topics of Psychology Research Involving Case Studies

One potentially interesting idea is to write a  psychology case study  of a particular individual or group of people. In this type of paper, you will provide an in-depth analysis of your subject, including a thorough biography.

Generally, you will also assess the person, often using a major psychological theory such as  Piaget's stages of cognitive development  or  Erikson's eight-stage theory of human development . It is also important to note that your paper doesn't necessarily have to be about someone you know personally.

In fact, many professors encourage students to write case studies on historical figures or fictional characters from books, television programs, or films.

Psychology Research Topics Involving Literature Reviews

Another possibility that would work well for a number of psychology courses is to do a literature review of a specific topic within psychology. A literature review involves finding a variety of sources on a particular subject, then summarizing and reporting on what these sources have to say about the topic.

Literature reviews are generally found in the  introduction  of journal articles and other  psychology papers , but this type of analysis also works well for a full-scale psychology term paper.

Topics of Psychology Research Based on Your Own Study or Experiment

Many psychology courses require students to design an actual psychological study or perform some type of experiment. In some cases, students simply devise the study and then imagine the possible results that might occur. In other situations, you may actually have the opportunity to collect data, analyze your findings, and write up your results.

Finding a topic for your study can be difficult, but there are plenty of great ways to come up with intriguing ideas. Start by considering your own interests as well as subjects you have studied in the past.

Online sources, newspaper articles, books , journal articles, and even your own class textbook are all great places to start searching for topics for your experiments and psychology term papers. Before you begin, learn more about  how to conduct a psychology experiment .

What This Means For You

After looking at this brief list of possible topics for psychology papers, it is easy to see that psychology is a very broad and diverse subject. While this variety makes it possible to find a topic that really catches your interest, it can sometimes make it very difficult for some students to select a good topic.

If you are still stumped by your assignment, ask your instructor for suggestions and consider a few from this list for inspiration.

• Hockenbury, SE & Nolan, SA. Psychology. New York: Worth Publishers; 2014.
• Santrock, JW. A Topical Approach to Lifespan Development. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2016.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Mick Cooper Training and Consultancy

Choosing Your Research Topic: Some Pointers

If you're doing a research project in counselling, psychotherapy, or counselling psychology, choosing your topic can be one of the hardest things to get right. And often one of the things you get the least advice on. So how should you go about it?

Read through previous counselling/psychotherapy/counselling psychology research theses

Invaluable! Essential! Probably the most useful thing you can do to get you started. This will give you a real sense of the ‘shape’ of a research study in this field, what is expected of you, and the kinds of questions that you might want to ask.  Should be in your college library or ask a tutor.

originalITY is not everything

Often, in my experience, students come into Master’s or doctoral research projects thinking, ‘I must do something original… I must do something original.’ So they work away at finding some dark corner somewhere that no-one has ever looked into before. Of course, there does need to be originality in your research, but if you’re burrowing away into a corner somewhere then there’s a real danger that no-one else is going to be particularly interested in where you’re going—you’re off into a world of your own. So instead of asking yourself, ‘What can I do that no-one else has ever done before?’ ask yourself, ‘What can I do that builds on what has been done before?’ And that means…

…Get a sense of the field

What are the key questions being asked in your field today?  What are the issues that matter and that are of relevance to practice?  It’s great to draw on your own interests and experiences, but also make sure you develop some familiarity with the field as it currently stands.  This will help to ensure that your research is topical and relevant—of interest and importance to the wider field as well as yourself.  A great thing to do can be to find out what your tutors are researching and what they see as the key issues in the current field.  And do remember that there may be the possibility of developing your project alongside them in some way, so that you can contribute to a particular national- or international-level research initiative.

Also, right from the start, think about how your work and your research question might have the capacity to influence practice and policy.  This may be the biggest research project you’ll ever do.  So make it count.  Think about doing something that can really help others learn how to improve their practice, perhaps with a particular group of clients, or with respect to a particular method.  If it’s a doctoral level project, you’ll become a leading expert in that field, and you’ll be in a position to teach the rest of us how to be more helpful.  So think about what you’d like to find out about, which you can then disseminate to the field as a whole.

If you want to make your research count, have a really long think before you dive into doing research on therapists’ experiences or perceptions.  Lots of students study this: it’s reflexive, and it’s a relatively easy group to access.  But it also raises the question of how interested people are really going to be in how therapists’ see things.  After all, we’ve all been trained in particular beliefs and assumptions, so if we’re the subject of research, we’re often just going to reiterate what we’ve been taught to think.  Generally, clients make a much more worthwhile participant group, because you’re hearing first hand what it’s really like in therapy, and what works and what doesn’t.

Consult the literature

Once you’ve got some idea of what you’d like to look at, find out how other people have tried to answer that question. If no-one has tried to answer it before, that’s great, but you need to be really sure about that before going on to furrow your own path—after all, you don’t want to get to the end of your research to find out that somebody ‘discovered’ the same thing as you decades ago. So have a look on Google Scholar, and particularly on social science search engines like PsychInfo. Undertaking such searches also ensures that your research will be embedded within the wider research field, and it may well give you ideas about the kinds of questions that are timely to ask.

Make sure it's related to therapeutic practice

Choose a topic which is related, at least in some way, to the field of therapeutic practice. Most directly, this may include things like: clients’ experiences of helpful and unhelpful factors, how psychological interventions are perceived from those outside the field, or the applied role of counselling in such fields as education. Exploring people’s experiences of a particular phenomenon—for instance, women’s experiences of birth trauma—can also be related to therapeutic practice, but just be clear what the association might be. For instance, could that help therapists know how to work most effectively with that client group, or to know what issues to be sensitized to.

Find yourself a clearly-defined question

Try to find a single, clearly defined question as the basis for your study (see my Research Aims and Questions pointers ). This can then serve as your title. If you can't encapsulate your research project into a single question/sentence at some point, the chances are, you're probably not clear about exactly what it is you are asking.

That's ‘question’, not ‘questions’

One of the biggest problems students face is that they ask too many inter-related questions, with too many constructs of interest, and therefore get very muddled in what they are doing. For instance, they’re interested in attachment styles, and how it relates to dropout as mediated by the client’s personality in EMDR for trauma. But that’s five different constructs (attachment styles, dropout, personality types, EMDR, trauma—and, indeed, a sixth implicit one, which is the outcomes of EMDR for trauma), and generally you want to focus down on just one or two constructs (particularly in qualitative research), or maybe three at most if you are doing quantitative. So, for instance, you could focus on how attachment style influences dropout, or how clients experience EMDR for trauma, or the role of personality styles in mediating outcomes in EMDR for trauma. Or you could even just focus down on how clients experience dropout. All nice, straightforward questions that you can really get into at Master’s or doctoral level depth. So think about the constructs that you definitely want to focus in on, and let go of those that are maybe less central to your concerns. Of course, that’s difficult, and three of the main reasons why are given below—along with the things you may need to remind yourself of:

'I won't have enough material otherwise.'   Your word limit may seem like a lot, but you'll be amazed at how quickly it goes. If you just focus on one question, you will be able to go into it in a great amount of depth—far more appropriate to Master’s or doctoral study than trying to answer a number of questions and subsequently coming away with numerous superficial answers.

'There's lots of different aspects of this area that I'm interested in.' That's great, but you won't be able to cover it all in this one project. You can always do further research after this one. In limiting yourself to just one question, you may well experience feelings of loss or disappointment as you let go of areas you're really interested in, but it's better to feel that loss now than after you've put months of work into areas that are just too dispersed.

'I've already started to ask this other question, and I don't want to lose the reading that I've already done'. Again, it can be painful letting go of things, but there is no value in ‘throwing good money after bad.’ Sometimes in research you need to be brutal, and cut out areas of inquiry that don't fit in—even if you've sweated blood over them. Remember what authors say: the quality of their book is defined by what they leave out!

That’s ‘question’, not ‘answer’

Some of the most problematic projects come about when researchers try to show that a particular answer is the correct one, and consequently won’t let anything—including their own findings—get in their way. So if you really believe something about psychological therapies, like ‘person-centred therapy is much more effective than cognitive-behavioural therapy’, or ‘women make much better counselling psychologists than men’ then you may want to steer clear of this topic. That is, unless you can really get yourself into a frame of mind in which you are open to the possibility that you might find the absolute opposite of what you want—and you can enthusiastically write about the implications of this finding. Good research is like good therapy: you put to one side your own assumptions as much as possible, so that the reality of whatever you are encountering can come through. So, in trying to work out your research question, here’s something to really ask yourself:

What is the question that I genuinely don’t know the answer to (but would love to find out)?

And ‘genuinely’ here means genuinely. It means you really, actually, don’t know what the answer to that question is. If you can find that question, it’ll help enormously in your whole research project, because it’ll mean that you’re genuinely open to, and interested in, finding out what’s out there. That’s research!

But make sure there’s not too much literature on it

If you ask a question on which much has already been written—like the effectiveness of person-centred therapy—then you’re likely to be drowned in material before you even get to the end of the literature review. So narrow down your question—e.g. the effectiveness of advanced empathy in person-centred therapy—until you’ve got a manageable number of references in your sights. Don’t worry if it seems too few, you’ll no doubt pick up more references as you go along. And remember, you need to have full mastery of the literature regarding the question your asking, and it is a lot easier to master the information in five or six papers than it is in hundreds.

What’s often ideal is if you can move one step on from some pre-existing literature: e.g. extending a study about depression in men to looking at depression in women, testing out a theory that you’ve found in a book, or using qualitative research to address a question that has previously only been addressed through quantitative research. So don’t get too hung up on being totally ‘original’: in fact, if you try to be too original you can end up in a sea of confusion with no theoretical or methodological concepts to anchor yourself to. Having an original twist is often much more productive—you’re saying something new, but you’re building on what’s already been laid down.

Think methodology from the start

It’s no good coming up with a brilliant question if there is no way of actually answering it, or if answering it is going to be such a headache that you’ll wish that you never started in the first place. So as you come up with ideas, think about how feasible it might actually be to put them into practice. This is something you may really want to discuss early on with a colleague or research tutor.

Respondents MUST be accessible

In terms of the feasibility of the study, probably the most important question is whether or not you are actually going to get anyone to participate—to respond to your interviews, questionnaires, etc. It is essential to the success of your study that you get a good response rate, so thinking about who you do research with is often as important as thinking about what you do (see my research pointers here on recruiting participants). A number of factors will determine how good your response is likely to be: how big the population is in total, their motivation to help you, how easy it will be for you to get in touch with them, how cautious you will need to be as a consequence of ethical safeguards. So don’t just come up with an idea and hope blindly that someone out there will be interested. However hard you think it will be to get participants, you can guarantee that it will actually be several times harder than that, so make sure this is something you think about, and address, at an early stage.

Ethics come first

The principles of non-maleficence—doing no harm to your respondent—and, ideally, beneficence—promoting the respondent’s well-being—should be an integral part of your research design. So, right from the very start of your project, think about ways in which your research might benefit those that are involved; and also make sure that you have read and familiarised yourself with appropriate ethical guidelines, as well as any other sets of relevant standards.

Aside from ‘doing the right thing’, the issue of ethics will be an important one for you because, in any research study, you will need to submit your project to an ethics committee (see above), and the more sensitive your work, the more committees and the longer the time this is likely to take. For instance, if you wish to carry out research in the National Health Service, you will almost certainly need to go through an NHS ethics committee, which can take many months to consider and respond to proposals. So, as you start to develop your research ideas, be aware of the ethical issues and processes that it might raise, and try to find out about the ethical submissions that such a study is likely to entail. That way, you won’t suddenly find yourself facing a long and uncertain wait before you can proceed with your work -- or, if you do, at least you’ll be prepared for it.

Search NYU Steinhardt

PhD in Counseling Psychology

Research from faculty in the Counseling Psychology program is conducted in laboratories at New York University and the schools, hospitals, neighborhoods, and community settings in New York. Additionally, international research is a cornerstone of the program, with faculty and students engaged in studying developmental processes and contextual influences across countries such as China, Argentina, Denmark, and Korea. We work closely with our affiliated global faculty at NYU Shanghai and NYU Abu Dhabi campuses.

Student Research

Students participate in the research team of a faculty member of the Counseling Psychology Program (or another Applied Psychology faculty, by program approval), beginning the first semester of the first year. Students are expected to allocate half of their time (at least 20 hours per week) to this research team throughout their graduate career. Students are free to transition to another team or collaborate with other research labs and/or research centers during their doctoral training. It is expected that student research experience will entail research productivity, including papers, grant writing, presentations, and publications.

Areas of Research Focus:

• Women and depression; immigrant women; cross-cultural research; feminist epistemology and social action
• HIV prevention and care, LGBT and Latinx mental health, personality disorders, risk assessment, and intersectional multicultural competency.
• Development of prevention, intervention, and service delivery models for youth at risk for or affected with disruptive behavior disorders
• Development of, and social response to violence and antisocial behavior, focusing on psychopathology, criminal justice systems response, and the role of gender and adolescence
• Immigration, community contexts, individual differences, and racial minority status and the mental health of Asian American individuals and families
• Development through work and relationships in peoples’ live,
• Multicultural assessment and counselor training; qualitative research methods; intelligence testing with diverse populations
• Psychosocial and cultural predictors of health among ethnic minority cancer survivors; development of culturally-sensitive psychosocial interventions; individual differences in emotion regulation and negative self-reflection
• LGBTQI psychology (including homonegative microaggressions) and psychological assessment.

Affiliated Research Centers and Institutes

The Consortium for Research and Evaluation of Advanced Technologies in Education (CREATE)  engages in research on the design, critique, and evaluation of wide-ranging advanced digital technologies for learning. Projects housed in the consortium involve interdisciplinary teams of scholars and developers who bridge basic and applied research, development, and evaluation.

The Institute of Human Development and Social Change (IHDSC) 's mission is to stimulate interdisciplinary research and influence social policy on children, youth, families, and communities in the context of a rapidly changing social world.

Metro Center

The Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools (Metro Center)  promotes equity and opportunity in education through engaged science work: applied research, program evaluation, policy analysis, community engagement, and professional assistance to educational, governmental, and community agencies serving vulnerable populations.

Affiliated Research Labs/Projects

Chinese Families Lab (CFL)

The project draws from both the Nanjing Adolescent and Nanjing MetroBaby study, which are longitudinal, mix-methods studies with over 1100 Chinese families and children starting at 7th grade for the adolescent study and birth for the MetroBaby study. The project is led by  Dr. Niobe Way,   Dr. Hirokazu Yoshikawa ,  Dr. Sumie Okazaki,  and  Dr. Sebastian Cherng  from NYU, and is a collaboration across NYU, NYU-Shanghai, NYU-Abu Dhabi, University of Pennsylvania, and Southeast University in China. We are interested in how the changing social, economic, and cultural context influences Chinese parents' parenting practices and children’s development. The project has finished a ten-year follow-up from the MetroBaby project in 2016. Ongoing research papers under development include examining Chinese mothers’ and fathers gender socialization, adolescents' gender beliefs and their academic achievements, gender beliefs and friendship quality, parents' workplace climate and families' mental health, etc. 

The Culture, Emotion, and Health Lab (CEH)

CEH is directed by  William Tsai, Ph.D.  The lab studies how people regulate their emotions, cope with stress, and how these processes lead to health and well-being. We focus our research questions on how cultural tendencies and values can shape the development and use of these processes. Our work is interdisciplinary, spanning across social, clinical, and health psychology. Recently, we have begun a line of research with ethnic minority cancer survivors, which is a population that experiences significant cancer health disparities. We are interested in applying cultural psychology theories with psychosocial interventions to overcome cultural barriers to reduce the undue burden of cancer experienced by ethnic minority cancer survivors.

The Families and Children Experiencing Success (FACES) Lab

FACES is directed by  Anil Chacko, Ph.D . The lab was developed to serve the families of youth exhibiting disruptive behavior disorders such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional-Defiant Disorder, and other conduct disorders. Its research aims to understand how to develop the most effective prevention, intervention, and service models for youth with disruptive behavior disorders and related conditions, or those at high risk for developing them.

The Researching Inequity in Society Ecologically (RISE)

RISE is directed by Erin Godfrey, Ph.D.,  and  Shabnam Javdani, Ph.D . The team’s research and activities serve traditionally marginalized populations, focusing on health and mental health disparities in women and youth who are involved, or at risk of involvement, with the justice system. As such, the RISE Team takes a contextual, multi-level and interdisciplinary approach to systems change and implementing evidence-based practices promoting health and well-being, working closely with community partners to bridge the gap between research and practice.

Faculty Publications

To find out more about a faculty member’s research, please visit their NYU Scholars page by clicking on the professor’s name below.

Anil Chacko

Shabnam Javdani 

Sumie Okazaki 

Lisa Suzuki

William Tsai

Mary Sue Richardson

A. Jordan Wright

80 fascinating psychology research questions for your next project

Last updated

15 February 2024

Reviewed by

Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L

Psychology research is essential for furthering our understanding of human behavior and improving the diagnosis and treatment of psychological conditions.

When psychologists know more about how different social and cultural factors influence how humans act, think, and feel, they can recommend improvements to practices in areas such as education, sport, healthcare, and law enforcement.

Below, you will find 80 research question examples across 16 branches of psychology. First, though, let’s look at some tips to help you select a suitable research topic.

• How to choose a good psychology research topic

Psychology has many branches that break down further into topics. Choosing a topic for your psychology research paper can be daunting because there are so many to choose from. It’s an important choice, as the topic you select will open up a range of questions to explore.

The tips below can help you find a psychology research topic that suits your skills and interests.

Tip #1: Select a topic that interests you

Passion and interest should fuel every research project. A topic that fascinates you will most likely interest others as well. Think about the questions you and others might have and decide on the issues that matter most. Draw on your own interests, but also keep your research topical and relevant to others.

Don’t limit yourself to a topic that you already know about. Instead, choose one that will make you want to know more and dig deeper. This will keep you motivated and excited about your research.

Tip #2: Choose a topic with a manageable scope

If your topic is too broad, you can get overwhelmed by the amount of information available and have trouble maintaining focus. On the other hand, you may find it difficult to find enough information if you choose a topic that is too narrow.

To determine if the topic is too broad or too narrow, start researching as early as possible. If you find there’s an overwhelming amount of research material, you’ll probably need to narrow the topic down. For example, instead of researching the general population, it might be easier to focus on a specific age group. Ask yourself what area of the general topic interests you most and focus on that.

If your scope is too narrow, try to generalize or focus on a larger related topic. Expand your search criteria or select additional databases for information. Consider if the topic is too new to have much information published on it as well.

Tip #3: Select a topic that will produce useful and relevant insights

Doing some preliminary research will reveal any existing research on the topic. If there is existing research, will you be able to produce new insights? You might need to focus on a different area or see if the existing research has limitations that you can overcome.

Bear in mind that finding new information from which to draw fresh insights may be impossible if your topic has been over-researched.

You’ll also need to consider whether your topic is relevant to current trends and needs. For example, researching psychology topics related to social media use may be highly relevant today.

• 80 psychology research topics and questions

Psychology is a broad subject with many branches and potential areas of study. Here are some of them:

Developmental

Personality

Experimental

Organizational

Educational

Neuropsychology

Controversial topics

Below we offer some suggestions on research topics and questions that can get you started. Keep in mind that these are not all-inclusive but should be personalized to fit the theme of your paper.

Social psychology research topics and questions

Social psychology has roots as far back as the 18th century. In simple terms, it’s the study of how behavior is influenced by the presence and behavior of others. It is the science of finding out who we are, who we think we are, and how our perceptions affect ourselves and others. It looks at personalities, relationships, and group behavior.

Here are some potential research questions and paper titles for this topic:

How does social media use impact perceptions of body image in male adolescents?

2. Is childhood bullying a risk factor for social anxiety in adults?

Is homophobia in individuals caused by genetic or environmental factors?

What is the most important psychological predictor of a person’s willingness to donate to charity?

Does a person’s height impact how other people perceive them? If so, how?

Cognitive psychology research questions

Cognitive psychology is the branch that focuses on the interactions of thinking, emotion, creativity, and problem-solving. It also explores the reasons humans think the way they do.

This topic involves exploring how people think by measuring intelligence, thoughts, and cognition. 

Here are some research question ideas:

6. Is there a link between chronic stress and memory function?

7. Can certain kinds of music trigger memories in people with memory loss?

8. Do remote meetings impact the efficacy of team decision-making?

9. Do word games and puzzles slow cognitive decline in adults over the age of 80?

10. Does watching television impact a child’s reading ability?

Developmental psychology research questions

Developmental psychology is the study of how humans grow and change over their lifespan. It usually focuses on the social, emotional, and physical development of babies and children, though it can apply to people of all ages. Developmental psychology is important for understanding how we learn, mature, and adapt to changes.

Here are some questions that might inspire your research:

11. Does grief accelerate the aging process?

12. How do parent–child attachment patterns influence the development of emotion regulation in teenagers?

13. Does bilingualism affect cognitive decline in adults over the age of 70?

14. How does the transition to adulthood impact decision-making abilities

15. How does early exposure to music impact mental health and well-being in school-aged children?

Personality psychology research questions

Personality psychology studies personalities, how they develop, their structures, and the processes that define them. It looks at intelligence, disposition, moral beliefs, thoughts, and reactions.

The goal of this branch of psychology is to scientifically interpret the way personality patterns manifest into an individual’s behaviors. Here are some example research questions:

16. Nature vs. nurture: Which impacts personality development the most?

17. The role of genetics on personality: Does an adopted child take on their biological parents’ personality traits?

18. How do personality traits influence leadership styles and effectiveness in organizational settings?

19. Is there a relationship between an individual’s personality and mental health?

20. Can a chronic illness affect your personality?

Abnormal psychology research questions

As the name suggests, abnormal psychology is a branch that focuses on abnormal behavior and psychopathology (the scientific study of mental illness or disorders).

Abnormal behavior can be challenging to define. Who decides what is “normal”? As such, psychologists in this area focus on the level of distress that certain behaviors may cause, although this typically involves studying mental health conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and phobias.

Here are some questions to consider:

21. How does technology impact the development of social anxiety disorder?

22. What are the factors behind the rising incidence of eating disorders in adolescents?

23. Are mindfulness-based interventions effective in the treatment of PTSD?

24. Is there a connection between depression and gambling addiction?

25. Can physical trauma cause psychopathy?

Clinical psychology research questions

Clinical psychology deals with assessing and treating mental illness or abnormal or psychiatric behaviors. It differs from abnormal psychology in that it focuses more on treatments and clinical aspects, while abnormal psychology is more behavioral focused.

This is a specialty area that provides care and treatment for complex mental health conditions. This can include treatment, not only for individuals but for couples, families, and other groups. Clinical psychology also supports communities, conducts research, and offers training to promote mental health. This category is very broad, so there are lots of topics to explore.

Below are some example research questions to consider:

26. Do criminals require more specific therapies or interventions?

27. How effective are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treating mental health disorders?

28. Are there any disadvantages to humanistic therapy?

29. Can group therapy be more beneficial than one-on-one therapy sessions?

30. What are the factors to consider when selecting the right treatment plan for patients with anxiety?

Experimental psychology research questions

Experimental psychology deals with studies that can prove or disprove a hypothesis. Psychologists in this field use scientific methods to collect data on basic psychological processes such as memory, cognition, and learning. They use this data to test the whys and hows of behavior and how outside factors influence its creation.

Areas of interest in this branch relate to perception, memory, emotion, and sensation. The below are example questions that could inspire your own research:

31. Do male or female parents/carers have a more calming influence on children?

32. Will your preference for a genre of music increase the more you listen to it?

33. What are the psychological effects of posting on social media vs. not posting?

34. How is productivity affected by social connection?

35. Is cheating contagious?

Organizational psychology research questions

Organizational psychology studies human behavior in the workplace. It is most frequently used to evaluate an employee, group, or a company’s organizational dynamics. Researchers aim to isolate issues and identify solutions.

This area of study can be beneficial to both employees and employers since the goal is to improve the overall work environment and experience. Researchers apply psychological principles and findings to recommend improvements in performance, communication, job satisfaction, and safety. 

Some potential research questions include the following:

36. How do different leadership styles affect employee morale?

37. Do longer lunch breaks boost employee productivity?

38. Is gender an antecedent to workplace stress?

39. What is the most effective way to promote work–life balance among employees?

40. How do different organizational structures impact the effectiveness of communication, decision-making, and productivity?

Forensic psychology research questions

Some questions to consider exploring in this branch of psychology are:

41. How does incarceration affect mental health?

42. Is childhood trauma a driver for criminal behavior during adulthood?

43. Are people with mental health conditions more likely to be victims of crimes?

44. What are the drivers of false memories, and how do they impact the justice system?

45. Is the media responsible for copycat crimes?

Educational psychology research questions

Educational psychology studies children in an educational setting. It covers topics like teaching methods, aptitude assessment, self-motivation, technology, and parental involvement.

Research in this field of psychology is vital for understanding and optimizing learning processes. It informs educators about cognitive development, learning styles, and effective teaching strategies.

Here are some example research questions:

46. Are different teaching styles more beneficial for children at different times of the day?

47. Can listening to classical music regularly increase a student’s test scores?

48. Is there a connection between sugar consumption and knowledge retention in students?

49. Does sleep duration and quality impact academic performance?

50. Does daily meditation at school influence students’ academic performance and mental health?

Sports psychology research question examples

Sport psychology aims to optimize physical performance and well-being in athletes by using cognitive and behavioral practices and interventions. Some methods include counseling, training, and clinical interventions.

Research in this area is important because it can improve team and individual performance, resilience, motivation, confidence, and overall well-being

Here are some research question ideas for you to consider:

51. How can a famous coach affect a team’s performance?

52. How can athletes control negative emotions in violent or high-contact sports?

53. How does using social media impact an athlete’s performance and well-being?

54. Can psychological interventions help with injury rehabilitation?

55. How can mindfulness practices boost sports performance?

Cultural psychology research question examples

The premise of this branch of psychology is that mind and culture are inseparable. In other words, people are shaped by their cultures, and their cultures are shaped by them. This can be a complex interaction.

Cultural psychology is vital as it explores how cultural context shapes individuals’ thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions. It provides insights into diverse perspectives, promoting cross-cultural understanding and reducing biases.

Here are some ideas that you might consider researching:

56. Are there cultural differences in how people perceive and deal with pain?

57. Are different cultures at increased risk of developing mental health conditions?

58. Are there cultural differences in coping strategies for stress?

59. Do our different cultures shape our personalities?

60. How does multi-generational culture influence family values and structure?

Health psychology research question examples

Health psychology is a crucial field of study. Understanding how psychological factors influence health behaviors, adherence to medical treatments, and overall wellness enables health experts to develop effective interventions and preventive measures, ultimately improving health outcomes.

Health psychology also aids in managing stress, promoting healthy behaviors, and optimizing mental health, fostering a holistic approach to well-being.

Here are five ideas to inspire research in this field:

61. How can health psychology interventions improve lifestyle behaviors to prevent cardiovascular diseases?

62. What role do social norms play in vaping among adolescents?

63. What role do personality traits play in the development and management of chronic pain conditions?

64. How do cultural beliefs and attitudes influence health-seeking behaviors in diverse populations?

65. What are the psychological factors influencing the adherence to preventive health behaviors, such as vaccination and regular screenings?

Neuropsychology research paper question examples

Neuropsychology research explores how a person’s cognition and behavior are related to their brain and nervous system. Researchers aim to advance the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and cognitive effects of neurological disorders.

Researchers may work with children facing learning or developmental challenges, or with adults with declining cognitive abilities. They may also focus on injuries or illnesses of the brain, such as traumatic brain injuries, to determine the effect on cognitive and behavioral functions.

Neuropsychology informs diagnosis and treatment strategies for conditions such as dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and psychiatric disorders. Understanding the neural basis of behavior enhances our ability to optimize cognitive functioning, rehabilitate people with brain injuries, and improve patient care.

Here are some example research questions to consider:

66. How do neurotransmitter imbalances in specific brain regions contribute to mood disorders such as depression?

67. How can a traumatic brain injury affect memory?

68. What neural processes underlie attention deficits in people with ADHD?

69. Do medications affect the brain differently after a traumatic brain injury?

70. What are the behavioral effects of prolonged brain swelling?

Psychology of religion research question examples

The psychology of religion is a field that studies the interplay between belief systems, spirituality, and mental well-being. It explores the application of the psychological methods and interpretive frameworks of religious traditions and how they relate to both religious and non-religious people.

Psychology of religion research contributes to a holistic understanding of human experiences. It fosters cultural competence and guides therapeutic approaches that respect diverse spiritual beliefs.

Here are some example research questions in this field:

71. What impact does a religious upbringing have on a child’s self-esteem?

72. How do religious beliefs shape decision-making and perceptions of morality?

73. What is the impact of religious indoctrination?

74. Is there correlation between religious and mindfulness practices?

75. How does religious affiliation impact attitudes towards mental health treatment and help-seeking behaviors?

Controversial topics in psychology research question examples

Some psychology topics don’t fit into any of the subcategories above, but they may still be worthwhile topics to consider. These topics are the ones that spark interest, conversation, debate, and disagreement. They are often inspired by current issues and assess the validity of older research.

Consider some of these research question examples:

76. How does the rise in on-screen violence impact behavior in adolescents.

77. Should access to social media platforms be restricted in children under the age of 12 to improve mental health?

78. Are prescription mental health medications over-prescribed in older adults? If so, what are the effects of this?

79. Cognitive biases in AI: what are the implications for decision-making?

80. What are the psychological and ethical implications of using virtual reality in exposure therapy for treating trauma-related conditions?

• Inspiration for your next psychology research project

You can choose from a diverse range of research questions that intersect and overlap across various specialties.

From cognitive psychology to clinical studies, each inquiry contributes to a deeper understanding of the human mind and behavior. Importantly, the relevance of these questions transcends individual disciplines, as many findings offer insights applicable across multiple areas of study.

As health trends evolve and societal needs shift, new topics emerge, fueling continual exploration and discovery. Diving into this ever-changing and expanding area of study enables you to navigate the complexities of the human experience and pave the way for innovative solutions to the challenges of tomorrow.

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288 Counseling Essay Topics & Sample Papers on Counseling Topics

Welcome to our list of best counseling research topics and essay ideas! Here, we’ve collected plenty of current issues to write about. It doesn’t matter if you’re a college student or a psychology professional: you will definitely find suitable counseling topics for your project here!

🔝 Top 10 Counseling Research Topics for 2024

🏆 best counseling topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good counseling topics for essays, 🥇 most interesting counseling topics to write about, 📌 simple & easy counseling essay topics, 🔎 school counseling research topics, 💡 research topics for counseling students, ❓ research questions about counseling.

• Cultural Competence in Counseling
• Importance of Empathy in Counseling
• CBT Techniques and Their Effectiveness
• Use of Social Media in Counseling
• How Counselors Support LGBTQ+ Clients
• Best Practices for Effective Group Therapy
• Mindfulness and Meditation in Counseling
• Confidentiality and Boundaries in Counseling
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Counseling
• Strategies for Working with Clients with Trauma
• Transcription of Counseling Session The purpose of this paper is to present the analysis of the verbatim transcription of a session with the client along with discussing the theoretical framework and providing reflection.
• Psychological Science: Counseling Essay (Theory of Counseling) Another important aspect is the counseling process; this depends on the individual counselor and client and the urgency of the issue in question.
• Importance of Counseling Skills Essay As earlier mentioned, counseling is a vocational process that requires a lot of passion and application of certain skills by a counselor, in order to achieve success. Therefore, I foresee struggle to master the skill […]
• The Significance of Lifespan Development in the Practice of Counseling Psychology The physical aspect of lifespan development is one of the important ones: it is related to the growth and development of the body and changes in the body and the brain.
• What Theory or Theories of Counseling are Observed in the Film Good Will Hunting? It is crucial to state that there are too many therapists who refused to work with Will Hunting because of a number of reasons, the main of which was the character’s contempt to them.
• Mental Health Counseling Admission Essay The decision to apply for the clinical counseling in mental health program was mainly influenced by an internship that I had at the Carter Center of Mental Health.
• Counseling Session Transcription: Kenry Lambert Case The investigation of the given cases presupposes the creation of the specific theoretical framework that can be applied to the case to help the student to eliminate undesired behaviors and achieve success in socialization.
• Psychoanalytic Therapy Approach in Group Counseling This system of interpretation and therapeutic treatment of psychological disorders is also known as the “talk therapy” as it is based on the intercourse of the Analysand and the Analyst who listens to the patient’s […]
• Comparison of Codes of Ethics: The American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association Both the Psychologist and the counselor abide to the same codes of conduct with regard to terminating their services to a client.
• Theory of Counseling: Solution Focused Therapy It is usually designed to aid the client to picture him/herself in a realistic future that is different to the present and past and when the problem the client is experiencing is non-existent.
• Counseling: Strengths and Weaknesses Directive counseling presupposes a counselor’s choice of topic, the interpretation of a client’s responses, and recommendations that aim to impact a client’s decision-making.
• Counseling Assessment Reliability and Validity In order to determine the level of content validity, one has to examine whether the scale is developed appropriately in that he/she has to examine items such as the level of reading necessary to understand […]
• Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test II in Counseling The reliability of the given test refers to the fact that graphic movements are marked by the highest degree of regulation, and the violations of the mechanisms of spatial analysis and synthesis are primarily reflected […]
• Ethics in Group Counseling According to Crespi, it is important for the counselor and learners to learn the legal principles that guide the process of counseling by governing the standards to be observed by the counselor and the client.
• Accountability and Outcome in the Counseling Profession A client involvement in the therapy process will determine the therapy outcome in addition to quality of the treatment choice. For a counselor, it is crucial to approach this process with honesty and responsibility in […]
• The Essential Qualities and Knowledge for Effective Counseling During the conversations the counselor should look at the client in the eyes because this will build a sense of trust in the client.
• Counseling Psychology in Dealing With Divorce One of the end results of divorce is the change of the emotional and mental state of an individual. Counseling was introduced in the country in the 1950s owing to the recognition of the vitality […]
• Therapy and Mental Health Counseling: Speech The scholars emphasize that, unlike medications, therapy is a journey that requires awareness and acceptance of the change to heal from stress and trauma.
• Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling The author adds that the counselor needs spiritual maturity in a bid to get the client to the same level of maturity.
• Mental Health Counseling Licensure and Certification in Florida The purpose of this paper is to analyze and compare the requirements and provisions for mental health counseling licensure and certification in Florida and discuss their impact on the public.
• Cultural Bias in Counseling Practices Among other factors, cultural biases result from the fact that most of the counseling practices were created in the context of the dominant Euro-American culture.
• Counseling Techniques Used to Help an Unemployed Client Being unemployed forces you to make rapid and unexpected changes to your lifestyle; thereby affecting not only you but also the people close to you. In the meantime you can use volunteership as a way […]
• The Use of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Rehabilitation Counseling In this regard, cognitive-behavioral programs provide for clarification of the characteristics of the patient’s psychological state and assistance in their awareness, a brief appeal to the origins of the formation of the patient’s psychological problems, […]
• Achieving Success in a Counseling Session I have experienced that the most favored solutions pertain to situations where the client is open to resourcefulness and motivation, which further depends on the competence level of the counselor or therapist and whether there […]
• Counseling and Social Work Challenges Also, it may be important to try to work with different people and assess the impact that individual differences have on the work results.
• Strength-Based Approach to Counseling: Pros and Cons These people cannot rely on their strengths, as they need other people to care for them, which is against the central principles of the strength-based approach. Additionally, I will use the strength-based approach to those […]
• The American Counseling Association: Code of Ethics The relations between the consultant and the client are based on trust, the foundation of which is the preservation of confidential information and privacy – they are discussed in the second section.
• Career Guidance and Counseling Additionally, significant contributions in career guidance and counseling have helped develop career guidance and counseling. Davis introduced guidance and counseling in public schools in 1907.
• Group Counseling and Ethics Section 10 of the Code of Conduct stipulates that when psychologists or group counselors provide therapeutic services to members in a group counseling session, they have to explain the roles and responsibilities of all the […]
• Multicultural Counseling Theory and Multicultural Counselors This could be due to the fact that the two clients are from different origins and the counselor in question could be familiar to the culture of one of them hence he was able to […]
• Genetic Counseling, Its Role, and Candidates In such cases, the benefits of such testing can be better explained to enable other family members to be tested and determine any other possible genetic problems.
• Mental Health Counseling Settings One advantage of a private practice is that decision-making is free from the influence of government agencies, charities, and other groups. However, a government agency setting is likely to have countless bureaucracies that would hinder […]
• Mental Health and Grief Counseling Issues One of the objectives of grief counseling is getting an individual to the last and most important stage of the process where someone accepts the reality of the loss they experienced. This would play a […]
• Empirically Supported Relationships in Counseling In counseling, this variable is essential since it helps to reduce the power distance between therapists and their clients. There is a strong link between the background diversity of clients and the attainment of better […]
• Group Counseling Session in Personal Reflection The opening was consistent with the group’s purpose, and my use of tone and volume was appropriate for the setting; however, I think that I showed little evidence of self-reflection or self-correction.
• Features of Assessment During the Counseling Process Also, it interprets the primary presenting concern, which is the change in the behavior of the client and the consequences of this change, and personal details of the client.
• Personal Theory of Counseling Many scholars have come up with various theories that try to explain the nature of human behavior and the factors that cause the differences in the same.
• Counseling Practice in Organization This presents itself as prime situation where a counselor is needed in order to get to the heart of the matter, identify what the employee truly wants to do and create some form of action […]
• A Critical Review of the Counseling Modalities The advantage of this therapy is that the relationship between the clients and the counseling is friendly and intimate and that it is more eclectic than other approaches of therapy.
• Mentoring and Counseling The counselor together with the client use the experiences of the client that took place in the past and taking place in the present to address challenges that are present and those that might happen […]
• Theories and Applications of Counseling and Psychotherapy Counseling is a kind of psychological assistance aimed to overcome the problems of a mental and emotional nature.
• Jay E. Adams: A Theology of Christian Counseling Due to the fact that man is dependent on his creator, it can, therefore, be concluded that there is significant need for the use of theology in counseling.
• About Counseling Cross-Culturally To reflect the relevance and objectivity of the author, it is possible to provide one of the examples from the study.
• Marfan Syndrome in Genetic Counseling The two generation hierarchies above and one generation hierarchy below the Anne’s generation was pooled and presented in the chart as below: Firstly, the typical clinical symptoms attributed to MFS were sorted from the description […]
• Counseling Session With a Seventh-Grade Student The counselor is trying to analyze the student’s behavior without scolding and criticizing her. The professional is aware of the fact that her family environment is stressful and makes an effort to change it.
• Active Listening Skill Essene in Counseling To facilitate the establishment of a trustful relationship with a client, a counselor should implement active listening techniques and develop the right attitude to the work process and people with whom he or she interacts.
• Life After Sexual Abuse. Counseling Intervention The latter implies the analysis of the problem from the perspective of a sexual abuse survivor who has experienced the lack of attachment in infancy and, therefore, is incapable of handling the issue of their […]
• Pre Marriage Counseling: One Year Before Getting Married On the other hand, pre-marriage counseling may lead to the end of a relationship. Unfortunately, some people refrain from consulting pre-marriage counselors due to breach of privacy or if the counselor is not in a […]
• Eye Contact, Active Listening, and Nonverbal Empathy in Counseling Process The reason for it is that it helps to understand people better and be able to establish strong and meaningful connections.
• The Problems of Adolescents: The Importance of Counseling The result is that, many young people are involving themselves in activities that are meant to send a statement of independence and freedom to their parents and the society as a whole.
• Case Conceptualization: Counseling Adolescents There is a possibility that other psychological problems may be the cause of her behavioral changes, but based on her age, it is more likely that teenage problems are setting in.
• Biblical Concepts for Christian Counseling It is important to underline the issue that the Bible is the background for Christian counseling, while the counseling itself is an integral part of Word ministry.
• Group Counseling: Change in Relationships The specified analysis is possible due to the use of the Thinking, Feeling, and Behaving Model, which allows one to explore the affective and emotional domain of the participants.
• Sexually Abused Child’s Treatment and Counseling I developed a lot of interest in the case and, therefore, decided to explore it by seeking a deeper understanding of the problems being experienced by the boy.
• Professional School Counseling: Interview Reflection This means that the school counselors utilize the statistics to illustrate the effect of the school counseling program on the overall enhancements and student success.
• Crisis and Trauma Counseling In the event that death occurs, the bereaved find it difficult to accept the loss at first, but when it dawns on them that it is true they have lost a loved one, anger takes […]
• Counseling: Poor Attention and Communication Skills First of all, the issue of low concentration can be addressed through games connected to the use of one’s memory and attentiveness.
• Multicultural Career Counseling Method These steps are to establish a rapport of the cultural relationship, identify the career issues, assess the impact of the cultural variables, develop the goals of the counseling, make the appropriate interventions, make a decision, […]
• Spiritual Discernment and Vocational Counseling Spiritual discernment is the ultimate secret weapon that can be used by Christians who are interested in drawing closer to the Lord as they progress in life as it guides them to make the most […]
• Group Counseling in the Schools According to the article, the practice is extremely beneficial for the learners since in the course of group interaction they help each other to cope with some personal traumas and learn from each others’ mistakes.
• The Practice of Counseling in the US and Indian Culture Owing the varied nature of the constituents of this culture, there is a large and continually expanding evolution of the Indian culture especially as regards religion, beliefs and societal values that is quite influential to […]
• The Importance of Premarital Counseling Before Marriage It is thus essential for couples contemplating to enter into a binding contract to go through premarital counseling program in order to get skills and knowledge on how to maintain their marriage.
• Modern Psychological Counseling Application of the latest psychological research to the development of psychosocial assistance, notably service-recipient-facing treatments and methods of implementation, is a feature of modern psychotherapy.
• Intercultural Counseling: Cultural Competence in Therapy With African Americans As a result, the researchers came to the conclusion that cultural competency is an effective tool counselors can apply as it correlates with positive well-being outcomes and overall satisfaction with the assistance.
• Power and Privilege in Intercultural Counseling The book looks at the concept of power and its role in change and considers the politics of change, analyzing the different forces that can block or promote it.
• Challenges and Approaches to Family Counseling The main aim is to address issues affecting the health and functioning of the family, such as communication. However, a counselor should assess the danger posed to other family members and address it immediately.
• Counseling and Teaching: Comparative Discussion Hence, in this scenario, an individual can become dissatisfied with the results of the working relationship and cooperation due to the inconsistencies and a lack of proper comprehension of differentiating roles of teachers from counsellors.
• Theoretical Approaches to Counseling Children Notably, several organizations provide treatment for children and can be listed as follows: Autistic Society of Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organisation, and The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.
• Social Justice in Counseling Psychology The other barrier which is likely to arise in the process of integrating social justice in the workplace is legal and ethical issues.
• Clinical and Counseling Psychology It is essential to evaluate the many cultural-clinical psychology distinctions that might result in cultural change since psychology encompasses a variety of topics, including psychological diseases, cognitive growth, and psychological maturity.
• Addressing Single Parents’ Needs in Professional Counseling In conclusion, after reading the article, I understood the need to reinforce the positive aspects of being a single parent while adequately addressing the adverse impact such a state has on one’s psyche.
• Self-Care Strategies or Interventions for Counseling Professionals The purpose of the project is not only to describe counseling obligations and challenges but identify the strategies and prove the possibility of their implementation today.
• Managing Resistance in Correctional Counseling In the setting of corrective counseling, the client’s resistance to treatment may look different and manifest itself in a range of resistance, from passivity and ignorance to open confrontation with the counselor.
• Psychological Counseling and Psychotherapy First of all, counselors need to be trained to develop an awareness of the existence and characteristics of cultural differences in understanding, communication, values, and lifestyles of people of different groups.
• Counseling Program Reducing Cognitive Distortions The focus of this project will be on the use of group counseling based on the utilization of the positive psychology approach. As a result, this population is prone to the development of anxiety and […]
• Counseling for Family Conflicts Resolution Family conflicts are considered in the project, and it is expected that the intervention will lead to a decreased incidence of the given phenomenon.
• Cultural Diversity in Counseling Counseling is a challenging profession that requires one to be able to relate and appeal to people from different backgrounds. This approach would help evoke an understanding of how belonging to a specific culture changes […]
• Code of Ethics in Clinical Mental Health Counseling For instance, the ACA’s ethical values involve upholding human development by using the multicultural method to support the potential, worth, and dignity of people in their cultural and social settings.
• Cultural Differences in Counseling Therefore, I think that being sensitive and responsive to cultural differences in people requires a little interest in the topic and a willingness to examine their personality on the subject of cultural assumptions.
• Sexual Orientation in Counseling As a result, LGB individuals should receive treatment that takes into account their co-occurring mental health needs and provides continuity of care within drug and alcohol rehab.
• Drawing a Care-Seeker Through Phase One in Pastoral Counseling My traits will help me inspire a guy to independently search for the meaning and value that he lost with his mother and sister.
• Cooper Mental Health Counseling Advertising The goal of the campaign will be to attract the maximum number of clients to the psychological counseling clinic. The call to action in the case of this advertising campaign will be a call to […]
• Premarital Counseling Discussion One of the critical aspects of preventing a crisis that can lead to a divorce is ensuring good communication between a couple.
• Parenting Counseling in the New York City Community Overall, Cap4Kids has developed a wide range of resources and opportunities for children and their parents, thus, addressing the parenting issues that New York City community members are likely to experience presently.
• Counseling Clients With HIV-AIDS Thus, the central recommendation for human service professionals counseling clients with HIV/AIDS is to allow time for the shock of the news to sink.
• Researching of Rape Counseling On the other hand, the male victim assaulted by a stranger in the washroom will not have a fear of pregnancy, and there will be no need to take contraceptives.
• The Reasons for Genetic Counseling According to Abacan, “genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease”.
• Pastoral Counseling in the Military In turn, the standards of the Christian Church will help me to remain patient and understanding of the needs of soldiers so that they could progress in their spiritual development.
• Counseling Intervention Ethical Concerns In order not to bring more harm to the issue, counseling specialists should properly weigh possible outcomes and the consequences of the intervention.
• Humanistic Approach to Career Counseling A professional counselor can be helpful in choosing the right path to a job and when it is frustrating and disappointing. Faith: Well, it is a good day, and I decided to visit you.
• Counseling Suffering Clients Therapists should pay attention to the characteristics of the restructuring of the spiritual worldview: a person can either discard his religious beliefs and plunge into a crisis, get hung up on it, or assert his […]
• Counseling of a Client With Heroin Addiction Although he has a son, he does not maintain any relationship with him, and his son does not try to communicate with Dante. First, the client did not address this aspect and was unwilling to […]
• Mental Health Counseling and Ethical Standards Relevant codes contribute to following the necessary rules to communicate and interact with clients and meeting the standards of professional collaboration.
• A Loss of a Family Member and Counseling He was disturbed by his friends’ lack of empathy and was bitter and angry about the loss of his mother. The patient demonstrates normal cognition in view of the fact that he is oriented in […]
• Guiding and Counseling Practices in England and Nigeria Guidance and counseling based on a cognitive approach are brief in structure and nature and center on solving the root problems of the young people.
• Group Counseling With Adolescents The study emphasizes that the response of the leader and group members to individual change talk plays a special role in such sessions.
• A Career in Counseling Psychology Therefore, the work of a counselor in psychology seems to be one of the most appealing options from the perspective of professional growth.
• Chapter 24 of “Affirmative Counseling With LGBTQI+ People” by Ginicola et al. The overarching purposes of behavior therapy implemented in a trauma-informed approach is to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment in trauma survivors.
• Psychodynamic Theoretical Approach to Counseling and Psychotherapy The basis of all assumptions of the psychodynamic theory is rooted in the notion of all behavioral issues originating from the unconscious part of the mind.
• Career Counseling for People With Disabilities To sufficiently research, the issue of career counseling for individuals with disabilities in the academic press, a list of journals that offer such information was developed.
• Stages and Skills of Counseling Counseling is a collaboration between the client and the counselor to discuss and solve the existing mental problems. I believe that parts of counseling in which I am adept are establishing relationships and defining the […]
• Counseling on Mental Health & Disorders in Children Victims of bullying are helpless to an assortment of negative results. Tormented teenagers are bound to encounter long-haul harm to confidence and feeling of depression.
• Counseling on Euthanasia and End-of-Life Decision The immediate dynamic killing is a clinical demonstration coordinated to the hardship of life, while a doctor helped self-destruction is a demonstration of the doctor where he gives the patient a medicament for taking life.
• Counseling on Bone Marrow Transplantation History and Process The National Marrow Donor Program is a not-for-profit association that works the Be The Match Registry of volunteer hematopoietic cell donors and umbilical rope blood units in the United States.
• Adolescent’s Counseling About Health Amy is the representative of late adolescence, and she understands that her everyday choices and habits affect her health and are necessary to be managed consciously.
• An Orientation to Group Counseling Counseling groups help address psychological issues without causing massive changes to one’s personality. Psychotherapy groups allow focusing on a certain psychological concern.
• The Importance of School Counseling Program The counseling program will help to relate educational success with career success, development, and more positive environment will be created.
• Genetic Counseling – Tay Sachs Disease In this case, there is a 25% likelihood of passing the gene to their children. This would be effective in preventing further passing down of the disease to their offspring.
• Genetic Counseling Analysis To take a detailed family history, I would start with gathering the information about the consumers. Finally, I would ask about the members of the family who have already passed away and clarify the cause […]
• Counseling and Education Session in Type II Diabetes Patients will be educated about the glycemic index and its effect on their blood sugar Patients will learn to count their carbohydrates. Patients will set up their goal and the timeframe to achieve it.
• Developing Multicultural Counseling Competencies They then have to know the available tools for this evaluation, to create and more importantly, to be certain about the constancy and validity of the grading of these tools.
• HIV Counseling and Testing: Lifetime Treatment Program Some of the possible intervention that can be adopted by the clinicians in order to improve adherence include the encouragement of the patients to be in contact with people of their age who will encourage […]
• Notion of Counseling: Personality Assessment Techniques Projective tests, on the contrary, are conducted by specialists in order to guide the examinees through the process with questions that help identify the features of one’s personality that are invisible to the patient.
• The Counseling Dynamics Between a White Client and a Counselor of Color Another barrier is in perceiving the counselor of color as a super minority therapist, which means that a White client might think that the professional is specialized in working for a specific group.
• Counseling Process: Trustworthiness and Expertness Multicultural interactions in the given field can be observed through a wide range of dimensions, where both counselor’s and client’s ethnic background can shape the dynamics of the overall interaction.
• Systemic Oppression & Traditional Counseling Ethics My response in the past would be in favor of the law because I was not fully aware of the cultural aspects of counseling.
• School Counseling: A Challenge, an Opportunity That’s why I chose to pursue this career I feel it is a great opportunity to aid the young, and being a part of this process is equally challenging and rewarding.
• School Counseling Specialization It calls for the specialist to analyze all of the aspects of the client’s life and develop interventions based on the issues identified in each of them.
• Ethics in the Counseling Profession: Personal Case Empathetic- this is one of the strengths when it comes to counseling skills Genuine- I realized that I am in a position to tell the affected person the truth even if it is not that […]
• Counseling Theories in the Management of Alcoholics The amount of alcohol he needs to get drunk has been increasing over the years and he spends much of his income on alcohol.
• The American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association Websites The intention of this research is to diffuse the result of Information Communication Technologies and the internet mostly for the coming age’s competitiveness of the two counseling websites. This adds to the links that are […]
• Counseling Principles and Paradigms in Practice It is the inability of Angela to adopt to her new situation of joblessness, not having a boyfriend of her choice and the fear of facing her parents and siblings that makes her experience what […]
• Methods Used by Psychoeducational Groups for Counseling Therapy The main group objectives include the following points: Applying results of the literature review to the design of counseling sessions. Integrate different theories and methods into the structure of counseling sessions.
• Clinical Counseling Psychology: Research and Statistics This paper will examine on clinical counseling psychology and the roles of research and statistics in clinical counseling psychology. Research in clinical counseling psychology helps the health care providers in investigating the efficiency of their […]
• Concept Problem of School Counseling What is the role of the professional school counselor in your school? The role of school’s professional counselors is to indulge in sophistically sounding but utterly meaningless rhetoric, in regards to the sheer importance of […]
• Developmental School Counseling and Pupil Services The Data collected from the instruments will be used to develop a system for determining patterns and the trends within the school environment.
• Client Experiences of Counseling and Treatment Interventions To illustrate the use of qualitative research designs and methods of analysis, a study of family members’ views of family therapy is briefly described. A small fee was paid to the families in recognition of […]
• Intentional Interviewing and Counseling The reason for her being in counseling is that her life has deteriorated to the point of being in a state of crisis.
• Personal Values and Counseling Sessions However, non-verbal clues may reveal the personal values of the counselor to the patient. Counselors should pay special attention to trying to avoid the impact of their personal values on the counseling process and advice […]
• International Students’ Attitude and Counseling Service For instance the students from Vietnam students are reluctant to seek counseling help due to the stigma associated with mental problems.
• Book Critique “Substance Abuse Counseling” As it can be judged by the title of the book, the individualized approach to the client should stand in the center of the system of substance abuse counseling.
• Work-Based Counseling in Companies The employees need to be frequently monitored and their issues solved for the organization to be productive. The employer should be in a position to understand that the employees are not machines that need to […]
• Self Disclosure in the Counseling Process The component parts of the organization are in many ways subordinate to the primary goals, even though on a day-to-day basis there may be enormous competition among individual organizational members and among structural subunits of […]
• Five Moral Principles of ACA vs. Seven Virtues of Christian Counseling It is clear, however, that the ACA principles advocate a higher degree of autonomy while Christian counseling suggests that the counselor should suffer from the client, not just feel for them.
• Burnout and Staff Turnover: Substance Abuse Counseling The counselor explains the rules and procedures to the patient, monitors the patient’s performance, and participates in the use of sanctions to obtain patient compliance.
• Ethical Issues of Counseling: Abortion and Divorce Personal values and beliefs, world views, and attitudes of both a counselor and a client have a great impact on the therapeutic relationship and effective treatment.
• Postmodern Psychology and Counseling It is a way of self-actualization and self-realization of the person. The internal biological human nature is a specific characteristic of the mankind.
• Personality Assessment in Counseling The origin of personality traits is investigated, as well as their role in biological and social processes and the consequences they have for a person’s health.
• Grief Counseling With Multicultural Clients The grievance process is to help the griever to accept the loss and move on with their lives. Firstly, the client should be able to accept the loss and adjust to the changes in their […]
• The Influence of Contraceptive Counseling on Adolescent Women’s Use of Contraception The understanding of the given terms is critical for the improved understanding of the selected problem and how it affects the health of the nation.
• Genetic Counseling Preventing Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension The hypothesis is that PAH specialists possess low knowledge and understanding of the benefits of genetic testing and counseling in regards to PAH treatment.
• Certification in Substance Abuse Counseling Therefore, the presence of tolerance to alcohol is clear from the interview. In summary, the assessment generated substantial evidence that the client has a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or […]
• Counseling Model Review and Analysis The rational emotive behavior theory plays a dominant role in the foundation of the basic philosophy of the model because it prioritizes the dysfunctional feelings and behaviors as the core of therapy.
• School Counseling Group Functions Analysis By articulating the issues during the individual sessions or group meetings, the counselor will be able to single out the particular problems of each child and will make corrections in the plan to meet the […]
• Counseling Profession: Examining the Current State of the Profession A counselor needs to adhere to the standards of service and make sure that the client is receiving the recognition that they deserve.
• Job Loss and Career Counseling Strategies Key components of the assignment the introduction, the discussion on the subjects’ stages of career development, the identification of job loss consequences, recommendations for appropriate assessment and counseling strategies, and considerations of client advocacy.
• Effective Group Work Counseling for Academic Success Also, behavioral changes can be evaluated to check the impact of group counseling on students’ self-perception and their position in a class, which is crucial for adolescents.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Professional Counseling The main duty of a counselor is to offer services to deal with specific issues affecting a patient and enhancing individual growth.
• Positive Outcomes in Breastfeeding Women Who Receive Counseling Admittedly, if a nurse handles postpartum women in his or her daily practice, it is imperative that he or she possesses scientific and technical knowledge of the challenges and particularities of breastfeeding.
• Ethical Principles and Concepts in Counseling The notions of privacy, confidentiality, and privilege are central to the process of counseling and have to be adhered to so that rapport could be established between a patient and a counselor.
• Counseling and Professional Ethics in California Professional ethics is a system of moral standards and moral principles inherent in a certain professional community, which performs the functions of regulating the interaction of specialists in the professional environment, determining the individual’s attitude […]
• Career Counseling Program for Disadvantaged Youth Moreover, the lack of understanding of why they are doing the things that they are told to do might decrease their motivation and engagement.
• School Counseling & Problem Conceptualization The ultimatum that the parents of the student present to Janeen may further affect her mental health. The possible reaction of the student’s parents to her gender concerns is unknown.
• Support Group Counseling Session Under Observation The focus for the session was substance withdrawal to help the clients realize the importance and the process of abandoning the behavior.
• Certification in Clinical or Counseling Psychology The main drawback of pursuing a doctorate degree is the time required for one to complete the education and obtain it.
• Clinical and Counseling Psychology as Career Fields The subject matters of the common clinical psychology are the common factors of the psychology of the patient and of the health care professional; the psychological peculiarities of the patient and the doctor; the influence […]
• Counseling Competencies and Developing Strategies This paper highlights a few strategies of enhancing my proficiency and competence as a counselor in a bid to have an upper hand in the crowded field of counseling.
• Professional Competencies in General Counseling In order to be an effective counselor, I need to place my feelings on the periphery and focus on the clients’.
• Women’s Emotional Health: Counseling Approaches The anthropological stance on women is a deviation from the traditional methods because it does not require the patient’s historical information and its main techniques are listening, understanding, empathizing, and responding to the patient’s counseling […]
• Counseling Interview in Family and Relationship Therapy My choice of questions for the interviewees on matters related to life, relationship and family will be designed as linear and systematic questions to aid in formulating an assessment.
• Counseling Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed Methods
• Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
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• Drug Abuse Diagnostics in Counseling
• “School Counseling Video EP” Evaluation
• Clinical and Counseling Psychologist’s Interview
• Addiction Counseling and Certification in Arizona
• Group Counseling for Children of Addicted Parents
• Patient Empowerment: Education and Counseling
• Counseling and Therapy for Couples: Family Resilience
• Breastfeeding Counseling for Low-Income Latino Population
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• Child Counseling and Parenting Problems
• Counseling: Attention Deficit and Its Functional Impact
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• Coercion in Counseling of Addicted Clients
• Pre-Mental Health Counseling Assessment for Child
• Wellness and Counseling in Family Systems Therapy
• Wellness in Theoretic Modeling and Counseling Practice
• Career Counseling Program for High-School Students
• Counseling Profession in Special Education
• The Counseling Services Value in Dubai Public Prosecution
• Abortion Counseling and Psychological Support
• Disaster Response and Counseling Evaluation
• Counseling Job Seekers’ Communication Theories
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• Counseling Ethics in Tarasoff vs. Regents Case
• Rehabilitation Counseling Associations’ Membership
• School Counseling Specifications
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• Self-Efficacy in On & Offline Counseling Programs
• American Counseling, Ethical and Cultural Issues
• Anxiety Evaluation in Rehabilitation Counseling
• Counseling Native Americans vs. White Population
• Case Management and Rehabilitation Counseling
• Wellness Concept in Counseling
• Psychology and Theology in Christian Counseling
• Professional and Barter Relationships in Counseling
• Personal Frameworks and Boundaries in Counseling
• Counseling Ethical Codes and Diversity Issues
• Personal Counseling and Development Theory
• Counseling Ethics in 5-Step Decision-Making Model
• Counseling Process and Communication Ethics
• Counseling Low Self-Esteem and Decision Making
• Counseling Theories on Elementary School Students
• Motivational Counseling and Interviewing Techniques
• Multicultural Counseling Importance and Challenges
• Counseling Psychology: Career Choice
• Implicit Expectations in Rehabilitation and Counseling
• Counseling and Mentorship Program for Hispanic Children
• School Counseling in the Modern Day USA
• Psychological Counseling Using Behavioral Theory
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Theories of Counseling
• The Practice and Training of Counseling Psychologists
• Adlerian Theory in the Group Counseling
• Psychology Issues: Health Counseling
• Anger Management Counseling and Treatment of Domestic Violence by the Capital Area Michigan Works
• Advantages of Group Counseling
• Effective Mental Health Counseling
• Counseling Jewish Women: A Phenomenological Study
• “The Counseling Profession’s Relationship to Jews and the Issues That Concern Them: More Than a Case of Selective Awareness”
• Multicultural Counseling and the Orthodox Jew
• Cultural Diversity in Counseling: Multiculturalism as an Important Part of Our Lives
• Addiction Counseling and Psychosocial Crisis in Elderly
• ‘Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling’ by Mark McMinn
• Marci: Analysis of a Counseling Situation
• Biblical Word Study: Counseling and Addiction Categories
• Drug Addictions Counseling: Assessment and Diagnosing
• Predicting Premature Termination From Counseling Using the Butcher Treatment Planning Inventory
• Attachment Dimensions and Adolescence Drug Addiction in Relation to School Counseling
• Counseling in the Workplace
• A Major Challenge to Counseling the Culturally Diverse
• Houston Texas School’s Counseling Program
• The Role of Hispanic Americans in Counseling
• Ethical Decision-Making Tools: Chemical Dependency and Counseling
• Evaluation of Anger Management Counseling and Treatment of Domestic Violence by the Capital Area Michigan Works
• Adventure Based Counseling
• Theories of Addiction: General Counseling Methods
• Prayer in Christian Counseling
• Importance of Group Counseling
• Christian Counseling for Children
• Premarital Counseling
• Medical Model Versus Counseling Model
• Contributions in Psychological Clinical Counseling
• Which Factors Contributed to the Development of Counseling Psychology?
• What Are the Types of Counseling?
• What Is the Difference Between Counseling and Therapist?
• Who Was the First Psychological Counselling?
• How Is Active Listening Used in Counseling?
• When Is It More Appropriate to Use Group Counseling?
• How Competent Is Christian Counseling?
• What Are the Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Counseling?
• Why Is It Important to Talk to a Premarital Counselor Before Getting Married?
• In Which Crisis Situations Is Counseling Recommended?
• How Is Counseling Culturally Sensitive?
• What Is the Most Popular Counseling Theory?
• How Are the Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in the Counseling?
• What Factors Affect the Effectiveness of Counseling?
• Can Counseling Be Unethical?
• What Are the Basic Skills Needed in Counseling?
• How Does Counseling for Children Differ From Counseling for Adults?
• What Ethical and Legal Dilemmas Can Arise in Counseling?
• In Which Situations Is It Advisable to Turn To Family Counseling?
• How Is Counselling Different From Coaching?
• What Is the Essence of Genetic Counseling?
• What Is the Significance of Counseling for an Individual and Organization?
• What Are Some of the Major Challenges Facing the Counseling Profession Today?
• How Many People Are Allowed in Group Counseling?
• What Are the Geological and Psychological Foundations of Counseling?
• What Is the Role of HR in Employee Counseling?
• What Issues Does High School Counseling Address?
• How to Improve the Legal Level of Consulting?
• What Does Integrative Mean in Counselling?
• What Are the Challenges of Multicultural Counseling of American Indians?
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Research Topics

Five research topics exploring the science of mental health.

Mental wellbeing is increasingly recognized as an essential aspect of our overall health. It supports our ability to handle challenges, build strong relationships, and live more fulfilling lives. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of mental health by acknowledging it as a fundamental human right.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we highlight the remarkable work of scientists driving open research that helps everyone achieve better mental health.

Here are five Research Topics that study themes including how we adapt to a changing world, the impact of loneliness on our wellbeing, and the connection between our diet and mental health.

All articles are openly available to view and download.

1 | Community Series in Mental Health Promotion and Protection, volume II

40.300 views | 16 articles

There is no health without mental health. Thus, this Research Topic collects ideas and research related to strategies that promote mental health across all disciplines. The goal is to raise awareness about mental health promotion and protection to ensure its incorporation in national mental health policies.

This topic is of relevance given the mental health crisis being experienced across the world right now. A reality that has prompted the WHO to declare that health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

View Research Topic

2 | Dietary and Metabolic Approaches for Mental Health Conditions

176.800 views | 11 articles

There is increased recognition that mental health disorders are, at least in part, a form of diet-related disease. For this reason, we focus attention on a Research Topic that examines the mechanistic interplay between dietary patterns and mental health conditions.

There is a clear consensus that the quality, quantity, and even timing of our human feeding patterns directly impact how brains function. But despite the epidemiological and mechanistic links between mental health and diet-related diseases, these two are often perceived as separate medical issues.

Even more urgent, public health messaging and clinical treatments for mental health conditions place relatively little emphasis on formulating nutrition to ease the underlying drivers of mental health conditions.

3 | Comparing Mental Health Cross-Culturally

94.000 views | 15 articles

Although mental health has been widely discussed in later years, how mental health is perceived across different cultures remains to be examined. This Research Topic addresses this gap and deepens our knowledge of mental health by comparing positive and negative psychological constructs cross-culturally.

The definition and understanding of mental health remain to be refined, partially because of a lack of cross-cultural perspectives on mental health. Also, due to the rapid internationalization taking place in the world today, a culturally aware understanding of, and interventions for mental health problems are essential.

4 | Adaption to Change and Coping Strategies: New Resources for Mental Health

85.000 views | 29 articles

In this Research Topic, scientists study a wider range of variables involved in change and adaptation. They examine changes of any type or magnitude whenever the lack of adaptive response diminishes our development and well-being.

Today’s society is characterized by change, and sometimes, the constant changes are difficult to assimilate. This may be why feelings of frustration and defenselessness appear in the face of the impossibility of responding adequately to the requirements of a changing society.

Therefore, society must develop an updated notion of the processes inherent to changing developmental environments, personal skills, resources, and strategies. This know-how is crucial for achieving and maintaining balanced mental health.

5 | Mental Health Equity

29.900 views | 10 articles

The goal of this Research Topic is to move beyond a synthesis of what is already known about mental health in the context of health equity. Rather, the focus here is on transformative solutions, recommendations, and applied research that have real world implications on policy, practice, and future scholarship.

Attention in the field to upstream factors and the role of social and structural determinants of health in influencing health outcomes, combined with an influx of innovation –particularly the digitalization of healthcare—presents a unique opportunity to solve pressing issues in mental health through a health equity lens.

The topic is opportune because factors such as structural racism and climate change have disproportionately negatively impacted marginalized communities across the world, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and transition-age youth and young adults. As a result, existing disparities in mental health have exacerbated.

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May 13, 2024

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Post categories, featured news, related subjects, research topics, related content.

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How Do Psychologists Decide What to Study?

Personal perspective: psychological research is sometimes, but not always, “me-search.".

Posted May 14, 2024 | Reviewed by Ray Parker

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• It is sometimes assumed that the personal concerns of the researcher guide psychological research.
• Research topics often evolve from curiosity about how everyday life works.
• Connecting new research to existing bodies of research is essential.

There is an old saying among psychological scientists that “Research is me-search.” This means, of course, that people, including psychologists, are drawn to topics that have deep relevance to issues in their own lives.

This old saying certainly rings true as I watch my undergraduate students select topics for their capstone senior research projects: The too-thin young woman who wants to study eating disorders, the student of color who is interested in racism , the child of divorce who desperately wishes to understand how a marriage ending in divorce affects children.

Given that I am best known for my work on creepiness and gossip, this old truism about “me-search” stalks and haunts me whenever I do a media interview about my research on either of these topics. The interviewer always wants to know what it is, exactly, that enticed me to devote years of my life to studying such a thing. There seems to be an assumption that I have a personal story to tell about a lifetime of being plagued by gossip or about my fear that I am chronically creeping other people out.

I will let the discerning reader draw their own conclusions about my interest in creepiness, but my interest in gossip does have an identifiable point of origin that is a bit more mundane than one might expect.

Research Ideas Can Be Inspired by Everyday Life

One day, about 25 years ago, I was standing in a long, slow-moving line at a grocery store. As it happened, my progress was stalled right next to a magazine rack rife with tabloids full of scandalous stories about movie stars, politicians, and assorted other celebrities.

For the first time in my life, I really looked at these publications and found myself wondering how they all stayed in business. Who reads all of this stuff? Why do we care so much about the private lives of individuals who we will never meet? I pondered this during my drive to the office after I left the store. I remember posing questions about the allure of these magazines to the first psychologist colleague I encountered when I got to work, and our ensuing conversation fanned the flames of my interest even further.

Being a good academic, my first impulse was to turn to the scientific literature to see what experts on gossip had been able to uncover. I was stunned by what I found, or more accurately, by what I did not find. There were a few studies in which anthropologists hung out in villages in random cultures and reported on what they heard people talking about when they gossiped and some intriguing anthropological theories about the origin of gossip.

However, I was unable to find anything in the way of actual experiments done by social psychologists on how gossip works. This is extraordinary: Until the dawn of the 21 st century, a universal human activity that lies at the heart of social life had been largely ignored by scientists whose stated mission was to understand human social interaction.

As an experimental social psychologist, I found the implied challenge irresistible. And so, with the help of some of my students, I embarked on a series of experiments on the psychology of gossip. I am proud to say that an interest in gossip spread like wildfire throughout the research community and that the study of gossip is now a thriving enterprise in the field of social psychology and related social sciences.

Thus, some research ideas do indeed spring directly from questions that arise through observing everyday life or from personal concerns faced by the researcher. However, this is not the only way in which research questions are formulated, and I will explore this in another post.

Frank McAndrew, Ph.D., is the Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College.

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At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives.

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• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience

Psychotherapy and Applied Psychology is hosted by Dr. Dan Cox, a professor at the University of British Columbia.This show delivers engaging discussions with the world's foremost research experts for listeners interested in or practicing psychotherapy or counseling to provide expert insights and practical advice into mental health, psychotherapy practice, and clinical training.This podcast provides valuable insights whether you are interested in psychotherapy, an applied psychology discipline such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or school psychology; or a related discipline such as psychiatry, social work, nursing, or marriage and family therapy.If you want to learn about cutting edge research, improve your psychotherapy/counseling practice, explore innovative therapeutic techniques, or expand your mental health knowledge, you are in the right place. This show will provide answers to questions like: *How will technology influence psychotherapy? *How effective is teletherapy (online psychotherapy) compared to in-person psychotherapy? *How can psychotherapists better support clients from diverse cultural backgrounds? *How can we measure client outcomes in psychotherapy? *What are the latest evidence-based practices? *What are the implications of attachment on psychotherapy? *How can therapists modify treatment to a specific client? *How can we use technology to improve psychotherapy training? *What are the most critical skills to develop during psychotherapy training? *How can psychotherapists improve their interpersonal and communication skills?

Psychotherapy and Applied Psychology: Conversations with research experts about mental health and psychotherapy for those int Dr. Daniel W Cox

• 5.0 • 2 Ratings
• MAY 14, 2024

Improving treatment with feedback: Feedback-informed care and deliberate practice with Dr. Scott Miller

In this conversation, Dan speaks with Dr. Scott Miller about improving psychotherapy using feedback and using feedback to facilitate deliberate practice. The conversation covers Scott's journey in the field of therapy, his experiences in different settings, and the development of feedback-informed treatment (FIT). FIT involves soliciting formal feedback from clients about their progress and engagement in therapy. The therapist uses this feedback to tailor the treatment to better fit the client's needs. The conversation also touches on the importance of monitoring outcomes and the challenges of implementing feedback-informed care. In this part of the conversation, Scott and Dan discuss the importance of measuring progress and using feedback to inform treatment decisions. They emphasize the need to consider adding or removing elements from the treatment plan if there is no progress after a certain number of sessions. They also discuss the concept of outcome-focused treatment and the importance of involving the client in the decision-making process. Scott shares an analogy from medicine to illustrate the need for a collaborative approach to treatment. They also discuss the challenges and objections to implementing measurement-based care, including concerns about burdening clients and the need for training and support for clinicians. They highlight the benefits of using feedback measures to facilitate conversations about termination and the potential for improving outcomes through deliberate practice. Special Guest: Dr. Scott Miller: Make sure to check out Scott's website which is full of useful resources! Click here to text the show! 🎞️Video version of the show@PsychotherapyAppliedPsychology on YouTube 🎧 Listen on your podcast player of choice Connect with Dan 🔗LinkedIn 🐥@TheAPPod on twitter 📬[email protected]

• 1 hr 23 min
• MAY 7, 2024

Why people experience suicidal thoughts and attempt suicide and the psychology of combat sports: The Three-Step Theory of Suicide with Dr. David Klonsky, University of British Columbia (UBC) Professor in Clinical Psychology

In this conversation, Dr. David Klonsky dives deep into the Three-Step Theory of Suicide, explaining why some people consider suicide and some attempt suicide. We begin the conversation with Dr. Klonsky talking about his side interest in combat sports and the psychology behind it. He shares his experience in martial arts and how it has influenced his understanding of the mental and emotional aspects of fighting. Dr. Klonsky also talks about his work as a consultant and analyst for combat sports, including his appearances on the Fight Network. He explains the importance of emotional readiness in combat sports and the role of approach-oriented emotions like excitement and anger. Dr. Klonsky emphasizes the need to overcome fear and interpret it as a natural response rather than a sign of unreadiness. The main theme of the conversation is the study of suicide. The three-step theory is discussed, which includes the conditions under which people feel suicidal, the intensity of suicidal desire, and the capability to attempt suicide. Pain and hopelessness are identified as key factors in feeling suicidal, and the aversiveness of life is explored as a driving force behind suicidal ideation. The importance of understanding the distinction between suicidal ideation and suicide attempts is emphasized. The conversation explores the necessary conditions for suicidal desire, which include overwhelming pain, hopelessness, low connectedness, and capability. Pain and hopelessness are the primary motivators for suicidal desire, while connectedness acts as a pull towards life. Capability refers to the ability to overcome the barriers to suicide, which can be acquired through experience or dispositional factors. Mental illness, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, can contribute to pain, hopelessness, and capability, increasing the risk of suicide. Understanding these factors can empower clinicians to intervene effectively and prevent suicide. Special Guest: E. David Klonsky The following paper was referenced in the show: The three-step theory of suicide: Description, evidence, and some useful points of clarification Click here to text the show! 🎞️Video version of the show@PsychotherapyAppliedPsychology on YouTube 🎧 Listen on your podcast player of choice Connect with Dan 🔗LinkedIn 🐥@TheAPPod on twitter 📬[email protected]

• 1 hr 25 min
• APR 30, 2024

How does social media and your smart phone impact your mental health? Problematic smartphone and social media use with Dr. Jon Elhai

In this conversation, Dan welcomes Dr. Jon Elhai to discuss problematic smart phone and social media use. This conversation explores the addictive aspects of social media and smart phones; however, they are not recognized as addictive disorders in the DSM or ICD. They also discuss the risk factors for excessive internet use, such as long-standing issues, coping styles, and internet-related cognitive biases like fear of missing out (FOMO). They discuss the importance of assessing the functional impairments caused by excessive use rather than just the duration of use. They explore the relationship between rumination, excessive reassurance seeking, and problematic use, and the potential negative mood effects of smartphone and social media use. In this conversation, Jon and Dan discuss the relationship between smartphone use and mental health, particularly depression. They highlight that excessive smartphone use is more likely to exacerbate existing mental health issues rather than cause them. They argue that social media and smartphones can have both positive and negative effects, depending on the individual and their circumstances. They also discuss the role of clinicians in assessing and treating problematic smartphone use, as well as the importance of parental guidance and government regulations to protect children from the potential harms of excessive digital media use. Guest Starring: Dr. Jon Elhai Click here to text the show! 🎞️Video version of the show@PsychotherapyAppliedPsychology on YouTube 🎧 Listen on your podcast player of choice Connect with Dan 🔗LinkedIn 🐥@TheAPPod on twitter 📬[email protected]

• 1 hr 30 min
• APR 23, 2024

Multicultural psychotherapy: Applying the multicultural orientation framework in psychotherapy and clinical training with Dr. Jesse Owen

This week, Dan is joined by Dr. Jesse Owen, Dan and Jesse peruse what multicultural psychotherapy really is and how to apply the multicultural orientation framework in psychotherapy and clinical training. The conversation explores the concept of multicultural orientation (MCO) in psychotherapy/counseling. The MCO framework consists of three pillars: cultural humility, cultural opportunities, and cultural comfort. Cultural humility emphasizes the therapist's willingness to learn from the client's cultural experiences and not assume expertise. Cultural opportunities involve recognizing and exploring cultural aspects that arise in therapy sessions. Cultural comfort refers to the therapist's ability to navigate discomfort when discussing cultural topics. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding clients' values and beliefs, even when they differ from the therapist's own. The MCO framework focuses on the salient identities, values, and beliefs of clients and how they influence the therapeutic process. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and acknowledging the cultural values and identities of both the therapist and the client. The framework is not intended to be a social justice framework, but rather a process-based model for psychotherapy. It aims to help therapists effectively connect with clients and address their individual needs, regardless of their cultural background. MCO training can also be applied to supervision, with a focus on understanding how the supervisor's and supervisee's identities influence the therapeutic process. Machine learning is being used to develop automated tools that provide real-time feedback and training on MCO skills. Guest Starring: Dr. Jesse Owen Click here to text the show! 🎞️Video version of the show@PsychotherapyAppliedPsychology on YouTube 🎧 Listen on your podcast player of choice Connect with Dan 🔗LinkedIn 🐥@TheAPPod on twitter 📬[email protected]

• 1 hr 15 min
• APR 16, 2024

How effective is teletherapy? Diving deep into online psychotherapy with Katie Aafjes-van Doorn

In this conversation, Dan talks with Dr. Katie Aafjes van Doorn about the effectiveness of teletherapy.  Katie shares her perspective on teletherapy and its benefits, as well as the differences between phone and video therapy. They also explore the importance of the therapeutic presence in teletherapy and its potential impact on treatment outcomes. This conversation explores the challenges and benefits of teletherapy, focusing on the concepts of presence, therapeutic alliance, and the real relationship. Additionally, they cover topics such as the impact of teletherapy on therapeutic presence, the informal and conversational nature of teletherapy, the challenges of therapist disclosure, and the lack of boundaries in the therapeutic relationship. In the conversation they also discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of teletherapy, the need for hybrid treatment approaches, and the impact of teletherapy on therapist fatigue. Additionally, the importance of training in teletherapy skills and the facilitation of interpersonal connection in teletherapy are explored. This conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of teletherapy, focusing on alliance ruptures, therapeutic skills, technical challenges, adapting approaches, training, client considerations, technical quality, pros and cons, effectiveness, attachment styles, and the importance of flexibility and individualized approaches. Click here to text the show! 🎞️Video version of the show@PsychotherapyAppliedPsychology on YouTube 🎧 Listen on your podcast player of choice Connect with Dan 🔗LinkedIn 🐥@TheAPPod on twitter 📬[email protected]

• 1 hr 19 min
• APR 9, 2024

Do therapists get better over time? Discussing therapist expertise with Dr. Terence Tracey

In this conversation, Dan and Dr. Terence Tracey talk about therapist expertise.  Terry explains the importance of routine outcome monitoring (ROM) and the limitations of therapist expertise. They delve into the concept of hypothesis testing and the value of disconfirming hypotheses. Overall, the conversation explores the themes of therapy effectiveness, growth as a therapist, and the role of feedback in improving therapists' outcomes. The conversation explores the challenges of disconfirmation and the importance of routine outcome monitoring for therapist growth. It highlights the value of professional self-doubt and the willingness to ask questions and seek disconfirming evidence. The concept of confidence and the need to challenge and let go of ideas is discussed. The distinction between structured and unstructured professions is examined, with a focus on the ill-defined nature of psychotherapy. The role of deliberate practice in psychotherapy is explored, along with the need for supervision and ongoing feedback. The lack of improvement in therapists over time and the potential impact of training programs on therapist growth are also discussed. The conversation concludes with reflections on the reactions to the findings and the importance of minimizing confirmatory biases. The conversation explores the need for reflective practice in therapy and the barriers that prevent therapists from engaging in it. The idea of incentivizing reflective practice is discussed, along with the need for time to reflect and generate hypotheses. The conversation also touches on the challenges in integrating reflection into training and certification processes. The performative nature of expertise and the value of outcome data are explored. They cover topics such as building time for reflection, integrating reflection into practice, differentiating good and bad therapists, and the importance of outcome data. Click here to text the show! 🎞️Video version of the show@PsychotherapyAppliedPsychology on YouTube 🎧 Listen on your podcast player of choice Connect with Dan 🔗LinkedIn 🐥@TheAPPod on twitter 📬[email protected]

• 1 hr 20 min
• © 2024 Psychotherapy and Applied Psychology: Conversations with research experts about mental health and psychotherapy for those interested in research, practice, and training

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BOND HOLDER INFORMATION JOBS REPORTS FORMS MY.UNTSYSTEM DIRECTORY

UNT Psychology Clinic student clinicians gain hands-on experience in counseling, research

Friday, May 10, 2024

“We leave no stone unturned when it comes to understanding the clients we evaluate and treat,” said Jennifer Schwartz, clinic director and board-certified psychologist.

The clinic, which is staffed by doctoral student clinicians under supervision by licensed psychologists, serves a diverse client population with presenting concerns such as depression, anxiety and personal growth issues. Clients work directly with student clinicians on treatment plans, empowering clients to track their progress and gain confidence in their skills when treatment comes to an end.

The clinic serves about 300 clients each year. The clinic is just one of numerous public-facing clinics and resource centers that are designed to give UNT students hands-on practical experience in their fields while also serving Dallas-Fort Worth area community members. UNT operates dozens of centers and clinics open to the public for services, such as the UNT Speech and Hearing Center , the Child and Family Resource Clinic and the Kristin Farmer Autism Center .

A client’s first visit — an intake session — is free of charge. The clinic offers counseling services, assessments and diagnostic work-ups on a sliding-scale basis.

“Very often, the clients that we serve — due to a lot of factors beyond their control — would not otherwise have access to the kind of care we can provide them,” Schwartz said.

Doctoral students in the psychology department can pursue degrees in clinical psychology or counseling psychology. Student clinicians may begin working with clients after completing one year of doctoral coursework. Each student clinician cycles through different roles in the clinic, from counseling and assessments to administrative work, to prepare for every aspect of their future careers.

Charlie Su, a Ph.D. candidate in UNT’s clinical psychology program , knew from a young age that he wanted to be a psychologist. His research focuses on family processes and their connection to mental health issues. One of Su’s research projects studies how existing psychological screening tools might be changed or improved to benefit populations from differing racial and ethnic backgrounds.

“If you have an assessment tool that works differently across people from different cultural backgrounds, that has implications on treatment planning. That may lead to large disparities in treatment outcomes — like whether someone will receive ODA accommodations, be prescribed psychotropic medications, and even whether someone would be hospitalized involuntarily,” Su says. “So, I’m really glad I’m doing this research.”

“Counseling psychology basically empowers people to reach their greatest potential,” Kemble said. “I believe everyone has that ability.”

Kemble’s research led her to create a trauma exposure checklist, a tool clients can use to self-report traumatic events they’ve experienced. Many existing checklists only contain common traumatic events — known as “Capital T” traumas — such as car accidents and natural disasters. Kemble’s checklist includes events such as medical trauma and spiritual abuse and is intended to validate clients’ lived experiences.

Many student clinicians who work in the Psychology Clinic become practicing psychologists in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Kemble, who is working towards a career in child and family counseling, looks forward to using her knowledge to improve the lives of others.

“Doing counseling therapy means walking alongside people as they let us into their lives,” Kemble said. “In my opinion, that’s such a great honor.”

To schedule an appointment at the UNT Psychology Clinic, call the clinic office at (940) 565-2631, or stop by the clinic at 1611 W Mulberry St # 171, Denton, TX 76201.

UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108

Media Contacts:

Bess Whitby [email protected] 940-565-3513

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