Using Event-Related Potentials to Explore Processes of Change in Counseling Psychology.

Julie Matsen
,
Kristin Perrone-McGovern
,
Cheri Marmarosh

Divine Mercy University
,
Department of Counseling Psychology, Social Psychology, and Counseling, Ball State University
,
Professional Psychology Program, Department of Psychology, George Washington University

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 500-508 (9 pages)

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of Counseling Psychology (Volume 67, Issue 4)

Publication milestones

Published - 01/07/2020

Publication status

Published - 01/07/2020

ISSN

0022-0167

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to serve as a guide for counseling psychologists to learn about a neuroscience methodology that can be used to study psychotherapy change processes. Event-related potential (ERP) is a specific type of electroencephalography that can be time-locked to a stimulus and thus allows researchers to examine neural responses to specific therapeutic techniques. A conceptual overview of the method and its applicability to counseling psychologists is provided. Additionally, this article contains basic guidelines for designing an ERP study, the tools necessary for setting up an ERP lab, and an overview of data-processing strategies. Common pitfalls encountered both broadly in neuroscience research and specifically in ERP research are discussed. An integrated review of relevant literature is presented here, along with suggestions for future counseling psychology research, with a focus on establishing biomarkers of successful interventions. Public Significance Statement: This article provides a guide for employing event-related potentials in the study of psychotherapy change processes within the field of counseling psychology. A conceptual overview of the method, current implementations and uses, and implications for the future of the field are discussed.