Research Committee
1. Role of PACFA in relation to research
PACFA has three major roles in relation to research:
• The facilitation of high quality, original research into the processes and outcomes of counselling and psychotherapy and into the professions of counselling and psychotherapy, particularly focusing on areas that are important for the professions’ development but where there has been a lack of research activity in Australia to date;
• Conducting the research necessary to provide data needed to support PACFA’s position in policy initiatives, including literature searches and reviews; and
• Disseminating information to and the profession in general about the findings of research relating to counselling and psychotherapy.
2. Role of the PACFA Board
The PACFA Board provides direction on research priorities that form the basis for applications to philanthropic trusts, funding bodies and government agencies.
3. Composition of the Research Committee
The Research Committee consists of the following members:
• Chair appointed by the Board (must have a Higher Degree Research qualification, experience in conducting and publishing research and a demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in the conduct of research);
• SCAPE Representative;
• Research active Board member with a Higher Degree Research qualification; and
• Two external consultants who have Higher Degree Research qualifications, and experience in conducting and publishing research and a demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in the conduct of research.
4. The terms of reference for the Research Committee
The terms of reference of the Research Committee are as follows:
1. To oversee and ensure implementation of the research agenda of the PACFA Board and Council;
2. To provide education and guidance for Member Associations on developing an evidence base for the effectiveness of counselling and psychotherapy through research;
3. To work collaboratively with the Finance and Grants Committee on the submission of grant applications which meet PACFA’s research priorities;
4. To review the progress of research funded by PACFA to ensure the quality of outcomes and ethical conduct of research;
5. To collaboratively develop the research agenda of PACFA with other senior researchers and stakeholders;
6. To review and make recommendations to the PACFA Board on the publication and distribution of PACFA research documents, including information placed on the PACFA website; and
7. To establish a Human Research Ethics Committee to review research undertaken by PACFA in accordance with NHMRC guidelines for organisations conducting research. The Research Ethics Committee will include external community members and a counsellor or psychotherapist.
5. Role of the Research Consultation Group
The Research Consultation Group was set up in 2010 and consists of experienced and qualified researchers who are members of Member Associations, who have submitted their CVs to the. Research Committee.
The Consultation Group acts as the ongoing consultation mechanism for the Research Committee on the development of evidence-based practice guidelines. The Consultation Group may also be requested to comment on grant applications and research proposals. The Consultation Group will aid in building the capacity of PACFA Member Associations in research and evaluation of counselling and psychotherapy effectiveness and outcomes through reporting back to MAs.
6. Current priorities for the Research Committee
A philanthropic research grant was awarded to PACFA in June 2007 by an anonymous organization. It was agreed to commission the Australian Workforce Survey (which is reported on separately - link to Research-Workforce Survey) and four reviews of the evidence of the effectiveness of counselling and psychotherapy for four specific topic areas: depression; generalized anxiety disorder; eating disorders; and post-traumatic stress. Much of the Research Committee’s current work is involved in finalizing the reports for each of these projects.
The Research Committee, with input from the PACFA Board, has identified several significant priorities for the next three years:
• To appoint a consumer/carer representative to the Research Committee (now completed);
• To develop and publish the reviews of evidence for the effectiveness of current treatments for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, eating disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder;
• To conduct a systematic literature review of effectiveness and outcome studies for all modalities represented by PACFA;
• To be strategic in applying for research grant funding at least once a year;
• To support Member Associations to develop research protocols that will help the profession to build the evidence-base for the effectiveness of counselling and psychotherapy; and
• To liaise with La Trobe University to finalise the report for the Australian Therapist Study 2010.
We intend to do our best, give limited resources, to make significant progress towards these priorities. Please feel free to send your comments about these research priorities to natresearch@pafa.org.au
Dr Sally Hunter
Senior Lecturer in Health
School of Health
University of New England
Armidale
NSW 2351
Chair of the PACFA Research Committee
