Reflexivity in science and practice: What do French verbs have to do with it?

Abstract

In this article, I explain and illustrate reflexivity in my research and practice, i.e. their reciprocal influence on one another. In other words, not only has my clinical experience with couples and families influenced the nature of my research, but also the results of my (and others’) change process studies have influenced the way I work with distressed clients in my private practice. Of particular interest is language – how what is communicated verbally during a therapy session can help clients make meaningful changes in their most intimate relationships. Over the years, my research in couple and family therapy has moved from studies describing simply how various master therapists talk with clients to a focus on change over time. I have studied change as reflected in relational control communication, clients’ verbalized constructions of their problems, and more recently, verbal and nonverbal indicators of family members’ individual and collective experience of the working alliance. The article concludes with some thoughts for entry-level psychologists about aspiring to a reflexive scientist-practitioner career.

Keywords:

• psychotherapy research
• psychotherapy process
• psychotherapy practice
• therapeutic alliance
• couple and family therapy