Researching clients' experiences: A review of qualitative studies

This article aims to explore the role that clients play in research and how their experiences can contribute to psychotherapy process research. Following a broad outline of the findings of earlier process research, arguments why clients have not been at the forefront of researchers' methodologies are offered against those who recognize the value and importance of asking clients directly about their experiences. Examples of a range of studies are discussed where clients' views and experiences of different therapies, or where the individual components within a therapy, are the primary sources of data. Although this is the key focus, studies that consider the views of clients relating to more general areas of mental health are also referred to briefly.