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STIMULUS QUESTIONS: CHAPTER TWO
Stimulus Questions: Chapter 2
1.) In what ways do you think scientific thinking might be useful for both practice and
science activities?
By using scientific thinking, counselors can examine and evaluate scenarios in which multiple
variables could affect the result. This is crucial for assisting clients in managing several issues
at once. As stated by Heppner et al. (2016), "It is critical to understand that science plays an
essential role in developing the knowledge upon which the counseling profession is based" (p.
17). "Science represents a way of knowing and a way of establishing relevant knowledge
bases for the progression." Because it uses critical thinking to discover future topics of
research and practice and raises the likelihood of effective and informed outcomes, scientific
thinking is beneficial for science and practice activities.
2.) Identify five activities you can do to incorporate scientific thinking into your counseling
practice.
I can use peer-to-peer feedback, research interventions, treatment plan development, assessment
questions, and literature studies of evidence-based procedures as five strategies to apply
scientific thinking to my counseling practice.
3.) What do you see as the most important advantages of integrating science and practice in
the counseling profession?
There are several advantages to the counseling profession when science and practice are
integrated. Counselors can conduct in-depth thought processes, and gather, compile, and
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STIMULUS QUESTIONS: CHAPTER TWO
evaluate facts. In the past, counselors might make snap judgments, follow their instincts, or
suggest solutions that hadn't been successful for other clients. Not every client will benefit
from that, but certain ones may. Also, providing the appropriate treatment plan for clients is
one of the most significant benefits of merging research and practice in counseling. This
includes the development of information that enables practitioners, clinicians, and counselors
to appropriately assess and care for their clients.
4.) How do you see yourself in terms of being a researcher and/or practitioner?
I consider myself to be a respected, useful, and beneficial researcher. As a counselor, I consider
myself a resource for both my school and the counseling community at large. I've always been
interested in research, data, and numbers. My favorite college classes were the research ones
as I was interested in learning and filling up knowledge gaps. One assignment that will always
stick in my memory is the one that required us to investigate an underrepresented group and
shed light on them. I choose to learn more about African American women living with bipolar
disorder. I learned so much about the community I belonged to by conducting this
undergraduate research.
5.) What do you feel very passionate about in your future as a counselor? Can you see any
way that research could help you enhance the work you will do within the areas that
excite you the most?
Helping people realize their full potential and accomplish their goals is something I am
enthusiastic about. In my opinion, there is a significant gap in the mental health of
professional and collegiate athletes. I still believe that counselors play an important part in
society overall. The NBA has prioritized helping athletes during the past five years who
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STIMULUS QUESTIONS: CHAPTER TWO
appear to have problems that go beyond the game. Two such athletes, Draymond Green and Ja
Morant, were required to go through a treatment center before they were allowed to rejoin the
league because of their questionable attitudes. This concentration in the NBA is something I
applaud, but it is not a major focus in college curricula or other professional organizations.
This is an area where I envision myself contributing.
6.) What concerns, obstacles, and fears do you have about scientific training?
Regarding scientific training, I have a few worries and anxieties. The fact that results sometimes
take too long to acquire is one issue. To obtain a scientific response, data must be involved. It
can take a while to gather data, analyze data, and come to a conclusion. Teachers don't have a
lot of free time. One more challenge I see with scientific education is that pupils are not
receptive to the findings. I could spend the time necessary to come up with a clear, useful,
scientific solution to the student's problem, but all that work would be in vain if the student
chose not to attempt it.
Lastly, I worry that scientific training ignores the counselor's experiences, human judgment, and
intuition (Mott, 2021). Most of the time, science, facts, and data are excellent. They are
indisputable; however, they can be twisted to support a particular viewpoint. Counselors'
decisions are made with experience and instinct; data, research, and facts do not account for
this. Statistics do not consider that counselors are aware of their clients' humanity and that
they must make decisions that are not consistent with the statistics to serve their best interests.
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7.) Examine the reactions you listed in question 6; why do you think you have these
reactions?
Due to my rational nature, I think I have the responses I mentioned in response to question six. I
consider everything carefully before acting, and I never react unless I have a good cause to.
School counselors do not have a lot of time, therefore it is reasonable to be concerned about
time. Scientific training takes time. They are not always receptive to adult guidance, even
when it is in their best interests, so there is reason to fear that students will not be receptive to
the findings and recommendations that scientific training will bring them.
The last reason scientific training raises concerns is that it may eliminate the human element of
counseling, which is a bad notion. Counselors should be guided by scientific training that
offers a variety of tools for them to utilize with their clients. However, it should not deprive
the counselor of the ability to make decisions and act in the client's best interests. When
working with a client, a counselor who does not entirely concur with the evidence derived
from scientific training should not do so. Counselors should always act in the way that they
feel is best for the client and the circumstances at hand.
