ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to explore heuristic research as a method for researching psychotherapy. Initially, the heuristic approach to research is discussed, followed by the process of conducting a heuristic inquiry; an eight-step approach is described. Researching psychotherapy is both challenging and complex. Conventional methods of research do not capture practice, for practice concerns a specific relationship, one that is difficult to quantify. A potential merit of heuristic research is that it offers a methodical way of exploring the lived experience of therapy, either from the client and/or therapist perspective. It provides a method for researching personal experience. Heuristics is a research method focusing on the exploration of the lived experience of a phenomenon. The researcher needs to have direct experience of the phenomenon being investigated. Relational research is research that is mindful of re-presenting the other. It could be said that therapists are involved in a form of relational research through the supervisory relationship.
