Counselling & Psychotherapy Research最新文献

{"title":"Outcome of Individual Outpatient Psychotherapy in Adults Under Clinically Representative Conditions in Austria","authors":"Elke Humer,&nbsp;Yvonne Schaffler,&nbsp;Katja Haider,&nbsp;Christoph Pieh,&nbsp;Barbara Haid,&nbsp;Wolfgang Schimböck,&nbsp;Peter Stippl,&nbsp;Brigitte Schigl,&nbsp;Thomas Probst","doi":"10.1002/capr.70074","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70074","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>While randomised controlled trials have established the efficacy of psychotherapy, their applicability to routine care is limited. Naturalistic studies offer ecological validity, but representative data for the effectiveness of psychotherapy in Austrian outpatient private settings are lacking.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aim</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study examined psychotherapy outcomes under real-world conditions in Austria.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Austrian psychotherapists in outpatient private practice were invited to participate by enrolling patients in the study (recruitment: September 2020 to December 2023). Outcomes were assessed at the start of therapy (baseline assessment) and at the end of therapy or study (post assessment). Outcome questionnaires included the Positive Mental Health Scale (PMH), the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7), and the Standardised Assessment of Severity of Personality Disorder (SAS-PD).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Eighty-seven psychotherapists from the four psychotherapeutic clusters (psychoanalytic-psychodynamic, humanistic, systemic, behavioural) participated in the study. Of 163 patients completing the baseline-assessment, 58 (35.6%) provided post-assessment data (treated by 39 psychotherapists). Missing post-assessment values were estimated using the Baseline Observation Carried Forward method, yielding small to moderate effect sizes (<i>d</i> = 0.21 to 0.48), and the Expectation Maximisation method, resulting in small to large effects (<i>d</i> = 0.32 to 1.08). Analyses based on the patients with complete baseline- and post-assessment revealed small to large effects (<i>d</i> = 0.36 to 1.03).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Results indicate that psychotherapy in Austrian private practice yields significant improvements in mental health. Future studies should investigate strategies to enhance recruitment to ensure a more comprehensive database for psychotherapy research in Austria.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"25 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70074","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145963953","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 Working Alliance in the Focus-Based Integrated Model: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis","authors":"E. Volpato,&nbsp;S. Bergamaschi,&nbsp;M. Cis,&nbsp;D. Sattin,&nbsp;M. Ruffino,&nbsp;G. Tognasso,&nbsp;M. C. Gislon,&nbsp;F. Pagnini","doi":"10.1002/capr.70077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70077","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The Working Alliance (WA) can be considered a core variable influencing the efficacy of the Focus-Based Integrated Model (FBIM), able to emphasise diagnosis, focus, integrated intervention and self-therapy. Recognising and resolving WA ruptures is critical, particularly in a model that demands adaptability and precision. However, limited research has explored the role of WA in FBIM, especially from the psychotherapist's perspective.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The main aim of this study was to explore psychotherapists' experiences of the WA with clients who have received psychotherapy based on the FBIM.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 psychotherapists treating 25 clients, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The findings are organised into three key areas: the construction of the therapeutic alliance, the setting and the dyadic relationship. These areas are further delineated into superordinate themes, each of which is characterised by specific themes and sub-themes. The superordinate themes include: (1) the definition of the WA; (2) the perceived WA; (3) moments of rupture; (4) strategies employed to address ruptures; (5) the therapeutic setting; (6) the therapeutic focus; (7) the reins; (8) therapist characteristics; and (9) client characteristics.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study highlights the role of WA within FBIM-based psychotherapy, emphasising the need for therapists to remain attuned to ruptures and relational dynamics. Findings underscore the importance of therapist adaptability, relational sensitivity, and responsivity in navigating the complexities of WA. These insights offer valuable implications for training and supervision within FBIM frameworks, supporting psychotherapists in optimising outcomes through enhanced alliance management.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"25 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145983454","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":"Anti-Oppressive Andragogy in Counselling and Psychotherapy Education: A Critical Analytic Synthesis","authors":"Harvey Charles Peters,&nbsp;Thomas Killian,&nbsp;Barbara Dos Santos,&nbsp;Wanqi Yang","doi":"10.1002/capr.70072","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70072","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Anti-oppressive andragogy has recently gained prominence within international counselling and psychotherapy education, yet remains fragmented, largely conceptual and inconsistently applied. Scholars continue to call for frameworks that move beyond multicultural paradigms to dismantle systemic oppression across training environments.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Using Critical Analytic Synthesis, we systematically reviewed and synthesised interdisciplinary literature across counselling and psychotherapy professions. We analysed approximately 150 peer-reviewed articles, engaging in an iterative process of construction, deconstruction and reconstruction to develop guiding principles for anti-oppressive andragogy.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Thematic findings yielded eleven dynamic principles that address the process and praxis of anti-oppressive andragogy in counselling and psychotherapy education. These principles highlight the importance of reflexivity, power sharing, relational accountability and socioecological transformation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our findings suggest that anti-oppressive andragogy requires educators to interrogate dominant paradigms, centre those within margins, and engage in continuous critical reflection and community accountability. Educators can use these principles to challenge Eurocentric and assimilationist approaches, integrate decolonising practices and foster liberatory spaces that support empowerment and collective action. Policy and practice implications include revising curricula, gatekeeping, programme development, and professional standards to advance equity and justice for historically marginalised communities. Future research should build on this framework to explore practical applications, assess outcomes, and continue evolving anti-oppressive andragogical literature within counselling and psychotherapy education.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"25 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145905260","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":"Patients' Experiences of Non-Mutual Psychotherapy Termination: A Qualitative Content Analysis","authors":"Lorenzo Antichi,&nbsp;Simona Notarnicola,&nbsp;Alessio Gori,&nbsp;Marco Giannini","doi":"10.1002/capr.70066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70066","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aim</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study aimed to explore patients' reasons and experiences regarding the non-mutual termination of their psychotherapy (i.e., either the patient or the therapist did not agree to terminate the therapy).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Participants who had experienced psychotherapy were recruited via social media (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn) by posting a participation invitation on the personal profiles of the researchers. If interested, participants responded to an online self-report survey, writing about their experiences, including the reasons for termination, related emotions or thoughts, whether they would make the same choice again, and what they would say to their therapists in an imagined conversation. Then, a conventional content analysis was conducted to create categories for each theme/question.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The study included 63 females (79.70%) and 16 males (20.30%). The average age was 29.62 years (SD = 9.00), with a range of 21–63 years. Considering the results, the motivations for the termination were attributed to relationship dynamics, therapists' behaviours, the mismatch between therapy and patients' needs, feeling ready, and economic-structural aspects. Emotionally, patients experienced negative feelings, while a few patients felt satisfied after termination. Many participants wanted to share their progress and express their gratitude to their therapists, continue psychotherapy, and criticise their therapists. Lastly, regarding the decision to terminate therapy, most patients would repeat their choice, while others would not.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To conclude, these results can inform therapists about the causes of treatment termination, and help them monitor these factors during therapy to reduce the likelihood of non-mutual termination.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"25 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145887899","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":"Validation of the Arabic California Brief Multicultural Competence Scale Among Counsellors and Its Association With Professional Identity and Demographics","authors":"Ayman O. Baniamer,&nbsp;Othman A. Alfuqaha,&nbsp;Kyle Msall","doi":"10.1002/capr.70070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70070","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background and Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>University students, in their future professional practice, are anticipated to demonstrate robust professional identity (PI) and multicultural competence (MC). The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the California Brief Multicultural Competence Scale (CBMCS) in the Arabic language. Moreover, it explored the effect of PI and several demographic factors on MC among counselling candidates.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The researchers selected two public universities in Amman, Jordan, to recruit participants using an online Google Form between the period of 26 August and 5 September 2025. Accordingly, 223 counselling candidates were recruited. The researchers translated and back-translated CBMCS and then conducted both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses for the validation process.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The results highlighted that the translated CBMCS into Arabic is valid and reliable. Results showed that MC and PI are at higher levels among counselling candidates.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>PI has a direct effect on MC among counselling candidates. The researchers recommend psychological training programmes for all university students to promote PI and MC.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"25 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145887732","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":"Let's Talk About Us: Insights Into the Impact of Routine Outcome Monitoring on Therapeutic Dyads","authors":"Selin Demir,&nbsp;Pauline Wrase,&nbsp;Eva-Lotta Brakemeier,&nbsp;Tim Kaiser","doi":"10.1002/capr.70068","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70068","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Routine Outcome Monitoring and Feedback (ROM) systems have been widely implemented to improve outcomes of psychotherapy. While their additive effects are robust, effect sizes remain modest, and research indicates differential effectiveness. This study investigates how therapeutic dyads perceive the influence of ROM systems on both intrapersonal and interactive therapeutic processes to identify potential barriers and opportunities for a personalisation of feedback in therapy.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 participants (9 outpatients and their therapists) who had used the Greifswald Psychotherapy Navigation System (GPNS) during their treatment. Data were analysed using Kukartz's method of qualitative content analysis.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Eight main categories emerged: (1) structure and use of feedback discussions, (2) reflection and competence development in patients and therapists, (3) reflection and competence change in patients and therapists, (4) patient empowerment, (5) applicability, satisfaction and perceived usefulness, (6) treatment adjustment and changes, (7) reflection on the psychotherapeutic process and (8) therapeutic alliance.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Overall, the therapeutic dyads agreed on positive influences of the GPNS on intrapersonal competencies and their therapeutic alliance. However, results indicate a differential effectiveness, and clinicians underestimated the benefits their patients reported. To confirm causal mechanisms and optimise feedback applications, further experimental studies are warranted.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"25 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70068","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145891011","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":"“Taking Off the Mask”: Experiences of Gender Roles and Mental Health Stigma for Men in Uganda","authors":"Maureen Kobusingye,&nbsp;Lay-nah Blue Morris-Howe,&nbsp;Amanda C. DeDiego","doi":"10.1002/capr.70069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70069","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The purpose of the current research was to understand the intersection of gender roles, societal expectations, and the experience of seeking mental health services for men in Uganda.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The study employed hermeneutic phenomenology to explore the experiences of men related to gender roles and their seeking of professional counselling services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight men in Uganda who had received professional mental health services. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted using the whole-parts-whole data analysis approach and hermeneutic circle in the tradition of hermeneutic phenomenology.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Results include an overview of qualitative themes identified from thematic analysis. Themes described the impressions and experiences of men who received professional mental health experiences. Analysis of participant experiences yielded themes of “Be A Man,” “Burden of Strength”, and “Breaking the Cycle.”</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The internal conflict of being a man who is self-sufficient and needing mental health help was contradictory and induced feelings of shame rooted in the societal expectations of manhood. For men in Uganda, seeking help for emotional needs is a sign of weakness. Considering the lingering shame of associating mental health support with the HIV crisis, nonjudgmental attitudes are critical for mental health professionals serving men in Uganda and African nations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"25 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145887306","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":"Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Psychological Counselling Service for Italian University Students: A Focus on Emotion Regulation and Loneliness","authors":"Gaia Caldarelli,&nbsp;Gaetana Affuso,&nbsp;Marina Cosenza,&nbsp;Lavinia Barone,&nbsp;Barbara Pizzini,&nbsp;Alda Troncone","doi":"10.1002/capr.70062","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70062","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Background and Aims&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;University counselling services and their effectiveness is a growing field of interest, given their key role in students' well-being and mental health improvement. The poor homogeneity in defining outcome variables and predictors of treatment efficacy has resulted in considerable variability across studies, with some important aspects having received limited attention or being underexplored. The present study aimed to contribute to this field by analysing the effectiveness of a psychological counselling service in reducing students' psychological difficulties. The main aim of the study was to identify the main predictors of reliable change (RC) in psychological distress and dropout intentions, with a particular focus on the role played by emotion regulation and loneliness.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Methods&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;A one-group pre-post-test design was adopted. A total of 263 students (183 female, &lt;i&gt;M&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sub&gt;age&lt;/sub&gt; 23.85 ± 3.98) from a university in Southern Italy were asked to complete CORE-OM, Dropout Intentions Questionnaire, DERS and UCLA-LS3. Data were collected between March 2021 and October 2023, at the beginning (T0) and at the end (T1) of the intervention.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Results&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Of the 263 participants, 154 (111 female, &lt;i&gt;M&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sub&gt;age&lt;/sub&gt; 24.86 ± 4.15) completed the pre-post assessment. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant decrease at T1 in all dimensions of psychological distress, emotion regulation difficulties, loneliness and dropout intention (all &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.0001). A total of 107 (69.5%) students showed RC in distress levels. A multiple group structural equation model (SEM) indicated that RC for emotion regulation difficulties significantly and positively affected the RC for the psychological distress and dropout intention scores.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;These findings emphasise the effectiveness of psychological counselling intervention in reducing psychological difficulties among university students. Furthermore, they underscore the role of emotion regulation as a potential predictor of psychological distress and dropout intention, contributing to a more precise definition of the key variables that may play a role in making psychological counselling interventions effective in supporting psychological well-being and mental health.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Trial Registration&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;The study has been registere","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"25 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70062","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145824477","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":"Artificial Clients, Genuine Interactions? Assessing ChatGPT4's Process-Level Performance in Clinical Simulations Using Qualitative Content Analysis","authors":"Xihe Tian,&nbsp;Yanhong Liu,&nbsp;Sarah Litt,&nbsp;Kahyen Shin,&nbsp;Tanqiu Jiang","doi":"10.1002/capr.70063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70063","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>With rapid advances in technology, growing attention has been directed towards evaluating Artificial Intelligence (AI) performance in human tasks; however, limited research has examined AI's performance as clinical clients in counselling simulations, particularly at the process level. This study explores how ChatGPT-4.0 (GPT-4), an advanced AI Large Language Model (LLM) with voice functioning, performs as a simulated client and how its responses reflect counselling processes within counselling interactions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Twelve fictional client scenarios were developed to assess GPT-4's performance across diverse counselling situations. Using qualitative content analysis (QCA), we examined GPT-4-simulated client responses on the content level.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>GPT-4 demonstrated multiple elements of counselling process, including the ability to form therapeutic alliance, attune to counsellors' theoretical orientations and adapt to different stages of the counselling process. Analysis also showed the GPT-4-simulated clients expressed strong motivation for positive changes, advanced mental health literacy and low but selective defence mechanisms. Additionally, a detectable yet limited amount of non-verbal information emerged through tone and pacing within the model's voice output.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Findings suggest that GPT-4 can produce process-level behaviours that align with key components of counselling interactions and has the potential to become a strong supplementary training tool for counselling role-play practices.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"25 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70063","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145824476","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":"A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Exploration of the Male Therapists' Embodied Lived Experience—Being With Male Clients Who Have Disordered Eating Behaviours: When Two Bodies Meet in the Therapy Room","authors":"Maria Guiñazu,&nbsp;Simon Wharne","doi":"10.1002/capr.70064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70064","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A first hermeneutic phenomenological exploration of cis-men therapists' embodied experiences when working with male clients who engage in disordered eating. Men are found to have different forms of disordered eating from women, with different health risks. Men are less likely to identify and disclose their disordered eating and less likely to receive services. It is problematic that assumptions about genders could replicate stereotypical roles and thereby propagate the social narratives that contribute to eating disorders.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study aims to deepen our understanding of the role that cis-men practitioners play in their clients' recovery.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data were obtained through a written description of a clinical experience, provided by each participant and through online interviews. A conversational approach was employed, and transcribed interviews with six participants were analysed using the methodology of van Manen's Hermeneutic Phenomenology of Practice (van Manen, M. 2014. Phenomenology of Practice: Meaning-Giving Methods in Phenomenological Research and Writing. Left Coast Press). Each transcript segment was labelled, organised and clustered to themes; then a cross-participant analysis was carried out, revealing themes across all interviews.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Three interconnected themes emerged: a ‘mutual experience of starvation between the cis-male therapist and male client’, ‘what feels unbearable in the therapy room’ and ‘the connection established through their shared maleness’.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>While cis-men therapists continue to feel pressure to control their bodies and remain in silent isolation, a potential is revealed for them to be a role model and advocate.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cis-men therapists can work with clients to share and accept their vulnerability and challenge unhelpful social narratives.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"25 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70064","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145750565","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}