DIGEST - Volume 9, Issue 1

1 TPC Digest 1 | TPC Digest Tahani Dari, John M. Laux, Yanhong Liu, Jennifer Reynolds Development of Community-Based Participatory Research Competencies ounselors rarely use academic counseling research in their clinical practice. Similarly, academic researchers often fail to communicate their findings to practicing counselors in ways that provide avenues for practical application. This gap between scientists and practitioners presents an opportunity for counseling researchers and practitioners to work collaboratively toward the common goal of improving clients’ quality of life. One approach widely employed to close this gap and improve clients’ qualify of life is community-based participatory research (CBPR). CBPR brings together researchers, institutions, clinicians, and broader communities to foster mutually beneficial partnerships throughout each phase of the research process. This study aimed to develop competencies that emphasize knowledge, skills, attitudes, and activities that could provide a foundation for a training guideline in CBPR for the counseling profession. Using a Delphi method, this study gathered structured data from 14 experts to establish what competencies are needed in counseling training programs and the overall counseling profession. Sample questions asked of the 14 experts included: what knowledge is required for counseling researchers to effectively carry out community-based participatory research and what skills are considered essential for counseling researchers to develop community-based participatory research? Our results confirm the value of CBPR for improving the collaborative efforts between counseling researchers and practitioners. All experts agreed that knowledge required for counseling researchers to effectively carry out CBPR includes understanding that the term “CBPR researchers” applies to both academic and community partners, including counseling practitioners. The experts also agreed that practicing CBPR requires effective and reflective group facilitation skills and the ability to create strong partnerships through negotiating, collaborating, networking, and liaising. Another agreed upon point was that cultural humility, flexibility, and persistence are essential CBPR attitudes. Finally, the findings confirm that carrying out CBPR necessitates particular experiences for counseling researchers. For instance, the experts agreed that in order to foster effective partnerships, they need to practice deep listening and undertake participant observation at various stages of their research. In conclusion, the results of the study provide an outline of evidence-based competencies derived from an empirical Delphi method that combined a thorough literature review and expert feedback. This study comprises the beginning stages of the development and validation of community-based participatory research competencies in counseling that may be used for training, practice, and future research. The findings of the current research provide a new understanding about the initial competencies necessary to effectively carry out CBPR research. Ultimately, these efforts may help to bridge the gap between counseling researchers and practitioners in order to advance the profession and improve the overall well-being of our clients and communities. Tahani Dari, NCC, is an assistant professor at the University of Toledo. John M. Laux is a professor and associate dean at the University of Toledo. Yanhong Liu is an assistant professor at Syracuse University. Jennifer Reynolds is an associate professor at the University of Toledo. Correspondence can be addressed to Tahani Dari, Mail Stop 119, Toledo, OH 43606, Tahani.Dari@rockets.utoledo.edu. A Delphi Study Identifying Best Practices in the Collaborative Process C