Introduction

Inquiry-Based Research (IBR) is a learner-driven approach that emphasizes curiosity, critical thinking, and active exploration. Instead of starting with predefined answers, it begins with meaningful questions arising from real-life issues or professional practice. Through systematic investigation gathering data, analyzing evidence, and drawing conclusion researchers construct knowledge that is both relevant and practical. For trainee counsellors, this method fosters deeper engagement with counselling challenges, encourages evidence-informed decision-making, and nurtures a habit of ongoing learning and professional inquiry. It empowers them to not only respond to client needs but also to contribute to the advancement of the counselling field.

Reflective Practice and Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) are interconnected in fostering deep learning and professional growth. While IBL emphasizes exploration, questioning, and problem-solving to construct new knowledge, reflective practice ensures that this learning is internalized, refined, and applied effectively. Through reflective practice, educators and learners critically analyze their inquiry processes, evaluating their approaches, insights, and challenges to enhance future learning experiences. Conversely, IBL provides a dynamic context for reflection, as learners engage in active inquiry, generating experiences that serve as a foundation for critical self-examination. Together, these approaches create a cyclical process where inquiry fuels reflection, and reflection, in turn, refines inquiry, leading to continuous improvement in learning and professional practice.