Counselling & Psychotherapy Research最新文献

{"title":"‘…I Felt I Was Failing’: Australian Therapists' Experiences on the Challenges of Engaging Adolescent Males in Counselling and Psychotherapy","authors":"Sarah Sadiqi,&nbsp;Micah Boerma","doi":"10.1002/capr.70112","DOIUrl":"10.1002/capr.70112","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Adolescent males remain a difficult population to engage in counselling and psychotherapy despite being at a high risk for mental health problems. Limited training opportunities exist to prepare therapists to support this specific population. The aim of this study was to explore the common challenges that Australian therapists face when working with young men to guide future training and intervention.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Semi-structured interviews were completed with 13 Australian therapists, including psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors and social workers, who were recruited through professional association websites and publications. Responses were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Three themes and eight subthemes were developed: (1) therapists' lack of confidence when working with young men; (2) young men as pressured and ill-prepared to attend therapy; and (3) young men's reluctance to ‘open up’ throughout therapy.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The challenges provided by Australian therapists align with the broader international literature highlighting young men's reluctance towards counselling and psychotherapy and warrants the need for a concerted research agenda to engage this population. Responses from therapists showed that young men's disengagement and resistance in therapy create challenges for therapists when it comes to building therapeutic rapport and can subsequently stymie young men's continued engagement with mental health services. Recommendations for future research and intervention are discussed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70112","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147668178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Affective Pathway to Cognitive Change: How Depressive Symptoms Mediate Metacognitive Improvement in OCD Treatment","authors":"Metehan Irak,&nbsp;Tamer N. Duman","doi":"10.1002/capr.70110","DOIUrl":"10.1002/capr.70110","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Although metacognitive beliefs are recognised as central to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), the mechanisms by which cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) targets these beliefs remain under-investigated. Specifically, the affective pathways linking symptom reduction to metacognitive change are poorly understood.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study had two primary objectives: (1) to examine the longitudinal effects of CBT on metacognitive beliefs in individuals with OCD and (2) to explore whether the relationship between symptom reduction and metacognitive improvement is mediated by changes in depression or trait anxiety. A clinical sample of individuals with OCD (<i>n</i> = 60) and a matched healthy control group (<i>n</i> = 60) were assessed. Patients in the OCD group underwent a 10-session manualised CBT protocol. Measures of OCD symptoms (Y-BOCS), depression (BDI), trait anxiety (STAI-T) and metacognitions (MCQ-30) were administered at pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Linear mixed-effects models confirmed that CBT was highly effective, producing significant longitudinal reductions in OCD symptoms, depression, anxiety and dysfunctional metacognitions. Longitudinal mediation analysis revealed that the reduction in OCD symptoms led to an improvement in metacognitive beliefs (specifically uncontrollability/danger and need to control thoughts) through the alleviation of depressive symptoms. In contrast, changes in trait anxiety did not mediate this relationship.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These findings suggest that while standard CBT effectively reduces both symptoms and dysfunctional beliefs, the mechanism of cognitive change is specifically driven by the alleviation of the depressive burden of OCD rather than a general reduction in anxiety. This highlights the importance of targeting depressive affect to facilitate deeper metacognitive change and sustain long-term treatment gains.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147668179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dialectical Behaviour Therapy in Community Mental Health: Associations Between Substance Use, Emotion Regulation and DBT Programme Outcomes","authors":"Jonathan L. Poquiz,&nbsp;Jonathan Huffman,&nbsp;Craig Warlick,&nbsp;Vivek Patel,&nbsp;Juliet Nelson","doi":"10.1002/capr.70113","DOIUrl":"10.1002/capr.70113","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Substance use and emotion regulation are common treatment targets in dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and they may be categorised as a life-threatening behaviour, a treatment interfering behaviour, or a quality of life interfering behaviour. Research examining these constructs in DBT-informed community mental health samples is limited.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study examined substance use, difficulties in emotion regulation (DERS) and programme outcomes (attendance and graduation) among 55 adults from a DBT intensive outpatient programme within a community mental health centre in the United States.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our results revealed a statistically significant inverse relationship between substance use at programme entry and the DERS total scale (<i>Hyp-</i>1: <i>r</i> = −0.29, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). No statistically significant relationships were established between the remaining DERS subscales (all other <i>p</i>s &gt; 0.05). In addition, there were no statistically significant relationships between substance use with attendance (<i>Hyp-2</i>: <i>β</i> = −2.17, <i>p</i> = −0.78) and graduation (<i>Hyp-</i>3: <i>β</i> = −0.55, <i>p</i> = 0.40).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Substance use may regulate emotions as a maladaptive short-term benefit with long-term cost. When not influencing life-threatening behaviours, substance use may be identified as a quality of life interfering behaviour as opposed to a therapy-interfering behaviour.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study provides preliminary evidence to suggest the importance of assessing substance use and emotion regulation to inform treatment targets.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147668180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Holding Out Hope or Holding Back? Student Expectations of Counselling Services in Higher Education in Ireland","authors":"Chiara Seery,&nbsp;Rebecca Maguire","doi":"10.1002/capr.70115","DOIUrl":"10.1002/capr.70115","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Expectations of counselling play a key role in predicting service engagement and therapeutic outcomes, but the nature and associates of student counselling expectations have been underexplored to date. This study aimed to investigate the nature and associates of student counselling services in Ireland among those who had and had not previously engaged with these services.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A mixed methods survey of students in Ireland (<i>N</i> = 113) collected data on student counselling expectations and engagement, along with measures of well-being, optimism, social support and attitudes towards psychotherapy. Current and retrospective expectations were compared for those with previous counselling experiences, while hierarchical multiple regression (HRM) analysis explored sociodemographic and psychosocial predictors of expectations. Reflexive thematic analysis examined the nature and change in expectations as captured in open-text responses.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Attitudes towards seeking professional help significantly predicted expectations (β = 0.488, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), with the HRM model predicting 24.8% of the variance in expectations overall. While current engagement with psychological support was positively associated with expectations, there was no significant difference observed between current and retrospective expectations in the group that had previous experience of student counselling. Themes identified varied instances of both positive and negative expectations, which were influenced by both internal and external sources.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Findings suggest that fostering and maintaining positive, yet realistic, expectations is crucial in providing an effective counselling service while both negative and unrealistic expectations should be managed to ensure beneficial and meaningful therapeutic outcomes for students engaging in an already overprescribed, stretched service.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70115","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147668182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining the Impact of Autism-Informed Integrative Counselling and Coaching on the Workplace Experiences of Autistic Individuals: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis","authors":"Julie (Jules) Sander","doi":"10.1002/capr.70093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70093","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Despite increasing awareness and diagnosis of neurodivergent conditions, unemployment remains high among autistic individuals. Research shows that coaching can help address employment issues, while other studies indicate that mental health support is crucial for autistic people's long-term well-being. However, no research examines how an integrated approach to counselling and coaching might support employed autistic individuals, enhancing their well-being and long-term employment prospects. Understanding what has enabled individuals to stay employed or enter the workforce might inform strategies to combat unemployment among this group.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aim</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of four autistic individuals who had received an autism-informed approach to therapy, combining counselling and coaching, while employed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Findings</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Four key themes emerged: (1) Awareness of the work environment's impact on functioning; (2) Enhanced personal understanding through the integrative approach; (3) Counselling and coaching as effective support for workplace well-being; and (4) The role of special interests in sustaining employment.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Autism-informed therapy empowers individuals to understand their needs and self-advocate. However, full benefits are realised only in inclusive workplaces. Specific workplace coaching to formulate strategies is useful alongside integrative approaches. Further research is needed on the impact of workplace and job type, including the role of special interests and co-occurring conditions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147315558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"‘Trusting the Darkness’: An Exploration of Experiences of Professional Self-Doubt Among Qualified Psychotherapists","authors":"Deirdre Hogan,&nbsp;Aisling McMahon","doi":"10.1002/capr.70094","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70094","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Professional self-doubt (PSD) refers to therapists' uncertainty about their ability to effectively help clients, and is considered to be a significant aspect of psychotherapy practice given its complexity and ambiguity. Most previous research on PSD has been quantitative, and this study aimed to explore lived experiences of this phenomenon through in-depth interviews with four qualified psychotherapists.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Interview transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and three group experiential themes were identified: Struggling with self-doubt—it is natural but threatening; The value of self-doubt—growth through discomfort; and Getting to grips with self-doubt over time.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The findings show that while the participants experienced PSD as professionally challenging, personally threatening and uncomfortable, they also considered it valuable to their therapeutic practice; it motivated them to be open and curious with their clients and it was a catalyst for both personal and professional growth. Safe supervision was shown to have an important role in this growth; it was found to be central both to the management of PSD and to learning from it. The findings also suggest that the intensity of PSD tends to lessen over time and that psychological strategies are as important as self-care behaviours in its management.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The study findings indicate that safe spaces to reflect on and process experiences of PSD are critical, and key implications for psychotherapist training and supervision are discussed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70094","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146217383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reimagining Mental Health Support: The Role of AI Chatbots in Bridging Gaps and Raising Ethical Questions","authors":"Pratibha Mahajan,&nbsp;Samarth Kadam,&nbsp;Hussain Kachwala,&nbsp;Nishant Tapikar,&nbsp;Ved Namde,&nbsp;Ebrahim Poonawala","doi":"10.1002/capr.70095","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70095","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The growing prevalence of psychological distress worldwide has drawn attention to the limitations of conventional mental health care systems, particularly in terms of accessibility, affordability and social stigma. Artificial intelligence (AI)–driven chatbots are emerging as digital tools capable of extending mental health support beyond traditional clinical environments.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This review examines existing literature on AI-powered mental health chatbots, focusing on systems that utilise natural language processing and established psychological frameworks such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and mindfulness-based approaches.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>AI-driven chatbots facilitate emotional expression, provide round-the-clock availability and enable anonymous interactions, making them especially useful for individuals who are reluctant or unable to seek conventional therapy. Despite these advantages, concerns remain regarding limitations in empathy, data privacy, contextual awareness and clinical accountability.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>AI-powered mental health chatbots hold significant potential to enhance access to mental health support; however, their meaningful and responsible integration into mental health care requires interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical design practices and careful alignment with human-centred care to ensure safe, inclusive and trustworthy mental health ecosystems.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146224277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Use of the Wright-Constantine Structured Cultural Interview (WCSCI) in Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: A Qualitative Study of Clients' Experiences","authors":"Aakriti Prasai,&nbsp;Jen Ying-Zhen Ang,&nbsp;A. Jordan Wright","doi":"10.1002/capr.70071","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70071","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cultural competence is widely recognised as essential to effective psychological assessment and treatment, yet clinicians often struggle to integrate cultural factors into case conceptualisation consistently. The Wright–Constantine Structured Cultural Interview (WCSCI) was developed to address this gap, with clinicians valuing its structured yet flexible approach to exploring clients' cultural identities and lived experiences within clinical practice. However, little is known about clients' experiences with the WCSCI.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Twelve adult clients from a community mental health clinic were interviewed about their experiences using the WCSCI and its impact on their therapeutic alliance with their provider.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Findings</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Participants reported that the WCSCI improved their therapeutic alliance; specifically, the WCSCI (a) helped clients to feel understood by clinicians, which promoted alignment of goals (goals); (b) fostered clients' connection and faith in their clinicians (bonds); (c) facilitated insights and reflections for clients (tasks). Clients' appraisal of the utility and purpose of the WCSCI and how relevant they felt culture and identity were to their presenting concerns impacted their reception to the WCSCI.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The WCSCI is a clinical tool that can augment existing assessment and therapy processes by providing nuance and depth about clients' cultural identities. In addition to being a useful clinical tool, it is also a valuable training tool that helps clinicians develop their multicultural competencies and extend their (pre)existing training in school and practice.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146223938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Counsellors Attitudes, Emotions, and Ethical Concerns Regarding Artificial Intelligence: Results From a Professional Survey","authors":"Russell Fulmer,&nbsp;Yusen Zhai,&nbsp;Eric T. Beeson","doi":"10.1002/capr.70086","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70086","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly present in counselling, from clinical practice to the classroom. To date, little empirical research has examined how counsellors themselves view the role of AI in the profession.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study aimed to explore counsellors' attitudes, beliefs and emotional responses to AI in counselling practice, ethics and future applications.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We assessed emotions and attitudes toward AI among professional counsellors (N = 159) through a Qualtrics-based survey.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Counsellors most strongly endorsed positive emotions, such as excitement about AI's potential to address problems, while expressing concerns related to diminished human connection, privacy and bias. Results also revealed counsellors' favourable attitudes toward AI in practice and optimism about its ability to reduce workload and burnout, but scepticism remained regarding AI's relational capacity. Notably, school counsellors and counsellors from racial and ethnic minority groups reported greater optimism about AI.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Findings suggest that counsellors view AI as a promising addition to the profession, despite concerns.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146223937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effectiveness of Online Mental Health Resources for University Students: A Qualitative Study","authors":"Rakshita Singh","doi":"10.1002/capr.70088","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70088","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study explored how university students perceive and experience online mental health resources, and the extent to which such resources support their mental well-being and help-seeking behaviours.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Design</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A qualitative, exploratory research design was used to gain rich, in-depth insights into students' lived experiences and evaluations of digital mental health support.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ten university students across the UK participated in semi-structured interviews. Participants were recruited through convenience and snowball sampling methods to ensure variation in gender, ethnicity, and subject area. The data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis, allowing for a detailed examination of recurring patterns and individual perspectives.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Six overarching themes were identified: (1) Empowerment through Digital Access reflected how online tools offered autonomy, convenience, and a sense of agency; (2) Personal Growth and Skill Development captured the educational value of these resources; (3) Balancing Academic Pressures and Mental Well-being revealed how digital tools helped manage stress amidst academic demands; (4) The Double-Edged Sword of Online Anonymity explored both safety and disconnection in anonymous platforms; (5) Technological Challenges and Adaptations highlighted usability issues and platform fatigue; and (6) The Evolution of Help-Seeking Behaviours addressed how digital tools influenced when and how students reached out for further support.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Online mental health resources offer accessible, non-intimidating avenues for support, especially during early stages of distress. However, their limitations suggest the need for thoughtful integration with in-person services and greater emphasis on emotional depth and interactivity in digital interventions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146193367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}