Mental health practitioners becoming qualitative researchers: Experiences from an Indian Not-for-Profit Organization
Format Type
Plenary
Format Type
Paper
Start Date
13-1-2021 10:15 AM
End Date
13-1-2021 10:35 AM
Abstract
Across India, qualitative research remains poorly understood and underutilized as a way of developing new knowledge. Ummeed Child Development Center (UCDC) provides transdisciplinary care to children and families experiencing developmental disabilities in Mumbai, India. In 2009 the UCDC mental health team began training in narrative ideas and practices as a framework that aligns with Indian values of collectivism and storytelling. Subsequently, all mental health therapists in the organization have adopted this therapeutic approach in practice. Anecdotally, clients and therapists have had transformative experiences using narrative practices; however, due to limited experience in conducting research, the team has lacked any empirical evidence to support such claims. In 2019, the UCDC mental health team engaged in training to develop their skills and knowledge as qualitative researchers. As narrative practitioners, they already had an affinity towards a qualitative paradigm. Their motivation was to undertake research that would bring to light the myriad ways in which narrative practices were being used by the team and the challenges and benefits of such an approach, both for their own organization and more broadly in an Indian context. This paper explores the journey of the UCDC mental health team to becoming qualitative researchers. The teaching and activities that have facilitated their learning of qualitative research will be discussed, along with challenges encountered with conducting qualitative research in the practice setting (e.g., obtaining IRB approvals) and strategies to overcome these issues.
Keywords
India, Mental Health, Narrative, Training
ORCID ID
Nayar: 0000-0002-9777-5915
Mental health practitioners becoming qualitative researchers: Experiences from an Indian Not-for-Profit Organization
Across India, qualitative research remains poorly understood and underutilized as a way of developing new knowledge. Ummeed Child Development Center (UCDC) provides transdisciplinary care to children and families experiencing developmental disabilities in Mumbai, India. In 2009 the UCDC mental health team began training in narrative ideas and practices as a framework that aligns with Indian values of collectivism and storytelling. Subsequently, all mental health therapists in the organization have adopted this therapeutic approach in practice. Anecdotally, clients and therapists have had transformative experiences using narrative practices; however, due to limited experience in conducting research, the team has lacked any empirical evidence to support such claims. In 2019, the UCDC mental health team engaged in training to develop their skills and knowledge as qualitative researchers. As narrative practitioners, they already had an affinity towards a qualitative paradigm. Their motivation was to undertake research that would bring to light the myriad ways in which narrative practices were being used by the team and the challenges and benefits of such an approach, both for their own organization and more broadly in an Indian context. This paper explores the journey of the UCDC mental health team to becoming qualitative researchers. The teaching and activities that have facilitated their learning of qualitative research will be discussed, along with challenges encountered with conducting qualitative research in the practice setting (e.g., obtaining IRB approvals) and strategies to overcome these issues.