School counselling based on humanistic principles: A pilot randomized controlled trial in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT This study assessed the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial on a humanistic counselling intervention and obtained indications of its effectiveness. Thirty-three participants were assigned to either a treatment or a control group. Outcome measures were the Young Person’s Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (YP-CORE) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Reductions in psychological distress were found in the treatment group compared to the control group on the YP-CORE, the SDQ total difficulty score, and the SDQ emotional symptoms subscale. At three-month follow-up, the intervention effects were sustained in the YP-CORE and SDQ hyperactivity subscale. The study suggests that a fully powered trial is feasible, and that the intervention is effective in reducing psychological distress in Chinese adolescents.