Teaching the science of practice: Evaluation of a research course in counseling

I describe a course designed to teach advanced undergraduate students how to conduct research on counseling. Specifically, I created the course based on the scientist-practitioner model of training, which emphasizes both the strategic approach to therapy (theoretical and technical) and the use of scientific methodology to study and critique various aspects of therapy. I discuss the course structure and assignments as well as a pre-post evaluation of student perceptions. I suggest that the research laboratory course improves both specific psychotherapy-related knowledge and skills as well as more broadly defined research and critical thinking skills.