On the plane from Sydney
There is a growing sense of interest in the research I’ve proposed. This is purely a hunch. Of the three supervisors I reached out to, each recognised the value in further exploring this topic. It’s encouraging, especially as I feel the relevance of this study extends beyond academic curiosity, intersecting with industry and practice in Singapore today.
One professor raised an important and sobering point. She reminded me of the need to ensure the research remains viable. Given the significant gap in the literature, she advised against tackling an overly expansive question. It was a thoughtful critique, one that resonates. The aim, after all, is to approach this journey strategically, ensuring the research is not only meaningful but also achievable within the scope of a PhD. What I need to reflect on is this: how can I frame my research in a way that is both manageable and impactful, moving the conversation forward, even if only incrementally? I’ve started to think of it as a journey, a series of milestones, with this first step—the PhD—as a foundational moment in a broader trajectory.
At the same time, I’ve been immersing myself in a book on critical reflection, one I picked up from the UNSW bookshop during my last trip to Sydney. The more I delve into it, the more I realise how central this process might become to my research. The book offers a solid overview of theoretical frameworks surrounding critical reflection, which I believe can significantly inform my work. Initially, I was drawn to decision-making as a variable for exploration, but I’m beginning to feel that reflection—especially in the context of how counsellors engage with technology—might offer a more nuanced path forward. Both decision-making and reflection sit within the internal spectrum of a counsellor’s experience, but it’s reflection, particularly on their readiness and personal interaction with technology, that seems to hold promise, holding more weight without the burden of quantitative benchmarking or premise. There’s something there—a richness in the process of self-reflection—that could deepen our understanding of how counsellors can better integrate technology into their practice. I’ll need to work through the theoretical underpinnings carefully, but I feel a sense of momentum here.
Another concept was client intentionality, which approaches the counsellor’s strategic intent when choosing particular interventions. But now that I’ve had time to consider it, I’m uncertain whether this is the right direction. Intentionality is harder to quantify, especially in the digital realm. Is there a sufficient sample of counsellors who approach technology with clear, strategic intent? I find myself questioning the practicality of measuring such a variable.
And yet, reflection offers a more grounded approach. It is open, expansive, and, crucially, supported by an existing body of literature. There is safety in that. It feels less like stepping into a void and more like entering a space where others have already laid a foundation. This framework could provide the structure I need while still allowing for innovation and exploration. It’s reassuring to know that I’m not working in isolation, that there is a theoretical anchor I can rely on as I fine-tune my research further. For now, I feel as though I’m making progress—discovering new avenues, sharpening my question, and finding a clearer direction. There’s still work to be done, but I feel more confident that I’m moving toward something meaningful.