Practical considerations for conducting client-centered process research

ABSTRACT Process research is important in the marriage and family therapy field, specifically process research with client participants. Process research is typically conducted in treatment-as-usual conditions. Clinically applicable research has been identified to narrow the gap between research and practice. In the present conceptual paper, we provide specific recommendations to beginning process researchers for collaborating with community agencies to sample therapy clients. We present practical strategies for reducing participant and researcher burden and fostering collaboration among clinicians and researchers that are specific to conducting process research in community agency settings with client participants. Finally, we discuss implications for narrowing the research practice gap.