What Counseling Theories Work in China: A Six-Year (2018–2023) Content Analysis of Mental Health Outcome Studies in China

There is an increasing need for efficacious and culturally sensitive mental health services in China. A 6-year (2018–2023) content analysis of mental health outcome research was conducted to investigate the efficacy of applying counseling theories to the Chinese population. The study explored the publication trends, types of counseling theories, the efficacy of counseling theories, research methods, and studied issues and populations about the mental health outcome research in China that was published in the last six years. Implications were also provided for psychotherapy researchers, practitioners serving the Chinese population, the Chinese counseling profession, and educators training future mental health practitioners in China.