Personal profile

Personal Statement

I am a Lecturer in Counselling and Director of the Strathclyde Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Clinic, a long-term research study investigating the process and outcome of person-centred-experiential therapy in practice. 

The main focus of my own research is the concept of congruent functioning: a contemporary redefining of the process of psychological growth at the core of Rogers' person-centred theory. I am interested in the development of congruent functioning for clients in counselling and also counsellors in training. 

I developed a model of congruent functioning from my work investigating the validity of the Strathclyde Inventory, a brief self-report instrument, using data collected from clients participating in counselling at the Strathclyde Counselling and Psychotherapy Research Clinic. Currently, I am working with international colleagues to explore the intercultural meaning and relevance of the Strathclyde Inventory.

I have developed expertise in systematic case study research, in particular the Hermeneutic Single Case Efficacy Design method, which is an innovative approach to investigating the outcome and process of psychotherapy within individual cases. Series of case studies using this method can be synthesized to produce insightful learning and improve practice. I am also interested in supporting counselling practitioners and service providers to expand their understanding of the value and limitations of using routine outcome measurement in their practice. 

I am a co-editor of the international peer-reviewed journal, Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies (PCEP), and former Chair of the World Association for Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies and Counseling (WAPCEPC).

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

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