We believe that research is important to further the field of brief and narrative therapy. Research, working hand-in-hand with training and clinical practice, helps to inform and generate our knowledge of this work. While the limits of research in therapy is debated, we believe that organized inquiry remains an important function in making sense of our work. The inquiry is conducted by forming a collaborative partnership with trainees and people who seek clinical help, thereby holding us accountable to them.

In September 2002, a research collaboration was initiated between Brief Therapy Training Centers-International, a division of the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre / Gail Appel Institute and the Faculty of Social work at the University of Toronto. The research team consist of Jim Duvall, Ellen Katz, Eric King, Karen Young, and Scot Cooper  from BTTC-I /HDC; Adrienne Chambon and Faye Mishna from the Faculty of Social Work at University of Toronto, and Laura Beres, as Research Associate.

The research that has been adopted in this project is a non-intrusive, naturalistic, anthropological approach that attempts to stay close to the actual practice. The logic of the approach is to remain congruent with the approach used in therapy.

For more detailed information regarding our Narrative Research Project please click on Narrative Research Project: Phase 1