Therapeutic outcomes in the Welsh Government's school-based counselling strategy: An evaluation

• Published in: Counselling and psychotherapy research 2013-06, Vol.13 (2), p.86-97
• Main Authors: Cooper, Mick, Pybis, Joanne, Hill, Andy, Jones, Sylvia, Cromarty, Karen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adolescent psychotherapy; Counseling; Emotional disorders; Meta-analysis; psychological distress; Psychotherapy; school counselling; therapeutic outcomes; Young adults
• ISSN: 1473-3145; 1746-1405
• DOI: 10.1080/14733145.2012.713372

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of school‐based counselling, as delivered in the Welsh Government's School‐based Counselling Strategy, for reducing psychological distress in young people aged 11–18. Method: The study used a quantitative cohort design, comparing levels of distress on either the Young Person's CORE (YP‐CORE) or the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) from baseline to endpoint. Data were available on 3613 episodes of counselling, across 42 datasets. Meta‐analytical procedures were used to identify the mean effect size and predictors of outcomes. Results: Within each dataset, counselling was associated with significant reductions in psychological distress, with a mean effect size (d) of 0.93(95% CI = 0.89–0.97) using a fixed effects model and 1.09 (95% CI = 0.97–1.22) using a random effects model. Datasets using the YP‐CORE had larger effect sizes than those using the SDQ, and datasets with more complete response rates had lower outcomes than those with poorer response rates. Conclusion: The results confirm that school‐based counselling, as delivered in the UK, is associated with significant reductions in psychological distress, comparable to adult counselling and psychotherapy services.