This textbook provides a guide to the development of a rigorous and creative research-supported practice for students, practitioners, and researchers in counselling and psychotherapy. With an emphasis on critical thinking and "research mindedness", it introduces practical research skills and links them to self-awareness and critical reflection. Learning how to creatively and effectively use oneself in the treatment process is an essential component in therapy training and this level of self-awareness has long been a neglected area in research - until now. With examples ranging from private therapeutic practice to psychiatric related research, each chapter combines 'how-to-do-it' advice with illustrative real-life examples. The authors outline the use of a broad range of research methods, embracing Arts- as well as RCT-based research, and covering qualitative, quantitative, pluralistic and mixed methods approaches. Whether you are engaging with research for the first time or already developing your own research projects, if you are a student at diploma level or taking a Postgraduate research course for counsellors, psychotherapists and counselling psychotherapists, this is essential reading for anyone looking for a book that combines self-awareness with analytical and practical skills. Sofie Bager-Charleson is Director of Studies on the MPhil/PhD in Psychotherapy at the Metanoia Institute, UK, and a BACP and UKCP registered psychotherapist and supervisor. She chairs the research group "Therapists as Research Practitioners (TRP)" and is the co-founder of the annual Metanoia Research Academy for practitioners. Sofie's research focuses on professional development of psychotherapists, specialising in psychotherapy research, reflexivity, reflective practice and personal development. Alistair McBeath is Doctoral Research Supervisor at the Metanoia Institute and the New School of Counselling and Psychotherapy, UK. He is a Chartered Psychologist and BACP and UKCP registered Psychotherapist. Alistair considers himself to be a researcher-practitioner and is keen to promote this identity within the psychotherapy profession. He also works for an Edinburgh based therapeutic consultancy and is a member of the Editorial Board of the European Journal for Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy.