Dear Colleagues,
I thank those of you who voted for me for your confidence. As the new chair of SARC of the EAP, I am writing to outline my initial thoughts, open dialogue and create a SARC that has a dynamic energy that can take-on the task of bringing research to our members in various forms.
I would like to create a SARC made up of “task teams” that, whilst participating in the overall SARC management, also have a particular mission which they design, implement, evaluate and report back on to the SARC and the EAP.
The SARC is composed of voluntary members who have busy lives. Therefore, to create wellbeing and perennity in our group, no one person should feel overwhelmed. What I want to avoid is an attrition in the task groups because people may have taken on too much or feel overwhelmed at a point in time.
The work needs to be distributed in a manner that everybody feels that they are comfortable and that they contribute easily. This approach will guarantee that each mission is really achieved. If an individual or a group feel overwhelmed, I ask them to come to the wider group and we will find solutions and resources.
After discussion with some of the core members of SARC, several “missions” have been identified, and your comments or suggestions are welcome. This said, we must choose and prioritise according to our available resources in order achieve those missions well.
The missions outlined so far:
1. This mission concerns everyone:
Facilitating Collaboration: The SARC has already established valuable relationships with organizations like the Society for Psychotherapy Research and international researchers. We have actively contributed to research conferences, shared our vision of psychotherapy and training, collaborated on research projects (e.g., SPRISTAD), and supported conference interventions with researchers. All members are encouraged to go to research conferences online or in person in their countries or elsewhere. Networking is essential and if links are made these are precious too for future collaboration between the EAP and researchers.
2. Reporting back on participation or observations as to what is happening in those conferences is a rich source of cutting-edge information for all of us. These brief informative reports would feature on the EAP web site in the “news” or the “research” part. (To be decided). o For info we already have participants organised for the UKCP research conference in June and the Society for Psychotherapy research in June. These participants will make their reports to the SARC and for the website afterwards.
3. Building Research Capacity: We are dedicated to empowering practitioners to engage in research, even if they do not have a traditional research background.
Case studies are a form of research that is possible for our practitioners and our students. It is proposed that a task team is established that will investigate the potential for case studies as a real form of research that can complement other methods effectively. Which journals? For what aim? Writing publishable case studies that contribute to the literature usefully is quite “coded” and it is necessary to establish a guiding format for authors. A dedicated team could aim to generate a “case study toolbox” that EAP members, organisations and students can use with the aim of generating publishable standard work.
After talking to Courtenay (Chair of IJP), perhaps the International Journal of Psychotherapy could publish selected case studies written by final year students. (To be discussed with the IJP team). This would be a “display window” of EAP trained psychotherapists and encourage students to master this form of academic writing. o Another initiative under consideration is a collaboration to create high-level case studies as part of an international research project, which is planned for 2025/26. This project will provide practitioners with the opportunity to contribute to impactful research. Catalin will be leading this.
Participating in other forms of research: All SARC members need to be keeping aware of collaboration opportunities for EAP members (national or European or global). By bringing these opportunities to the attention of the SARC we can create partnerships with researchers looking for collaboration on projects. (Like the SPRISTAD project that is still going).
Staying Up to Date: With the rapidly expanding body of psychotherapy research, it’s essential for EAP members to stay informed. I propose creating a dedicated team to ensure that the latest and most relevant research findings are disseminated to our members through the website, keeping everyone updated on where research is headed and how it can impact practice.
Shaping Policy: Having recently participated in the UK government consultation on health policy for the next decade, I realized how important the EAP’s voice is in shaping national and European mental health policy. Public and stakeholder consultations are issued in individual countries and at a European level. Each NWUO should be aware of the mental health consultations that are going on in their country and decide if it would be appropriate to respond to the consultation. A task team in the SARC could ensure that any replies to consultations put forward are backed by solid scientific evidence, enabling the EAP to influence policy that supports effective, evidence-based psychotherapy across Europe.
It was requested by several EAP delegates in March that the SARC generate a document for use by EAP organisations or members when negotiating with governments and policy makers. The document would summarise an evidence-based statement on the efficacity of psychotherapy with the latest research incorporated. This would be available to all on the website.
Continuation of the project to support the EAP competencies framework with current research. The task team is currently reviewing its progress and will keep the SARC informed of the next phase which may be open to new members.
As you may have noticed, I talk a lot about communication. Indeed, one of the EAP’s objectives for 2025 and the future is to build a website that is informative and participative. A place where people can go for “news”, topics of interest and tools for psychotherapists. It will relay our work and open a far wider access to our members. The members need to be encouraged to see this site as a point of interest and to visit it regularly. Idem for stakeholders, partners and our patients/clients.
These are the missions that have been evoked. If we create these task teams and sustain our activity, we will be a dynamic commission.
People are welcome to propose other research missions. I would just remind you that proposals need to be pertinent for the EAP, in line with EAP principles, sustainable and that you can clearly identify what the aim is and the resources necessary to achieve the project.
I have addressed this letter to a wide range of people, some already present in the SARC and others that may be interested to participate in a team. I invite you to contact me if you are interested at gascous@gmail.com.
A meeting will be organised shortly.
Best regards,
Lynne Rigaud, Chair of Science and Research Commission (SARC) European Association of Psychotherapy