• Compared major, commonly individually delivered, in‑person psychotherapies (CBT, IPT, BA, PST, psychodynamic, and non‑directive/supportive counselling) to each other and to control conditions.
• All therapies > care‑as‑usual / waitlist (SMD vs CAU roughly −0.81 to −0.32), with effects that remained significant at ~12 months.
• No consistent differences in acceptability (dropout); small differences across therapy types.

See reference [1].

• NDST (supportive counselling) is an effective treatment for adult depression vs control conditions.
• Apparent smaller effects vs some therapies may reflect trial design (NDST often used as a control and sometimes implemented to be less potent).
• Bottom line: Counselling approaches contribute to symptom improvement and recovery.

See reference [8].

• Across RCTs, humanistic/experiential therapies showed significant improvement vs treatment‑as‑usual at post‑treatment (approx. g≈0.41).
• Comparisons with other therapies were generally similar at post‑treatment; between‑therapy differences at follow‑up were small/uncertain.
• Supports the conclusion that counselling‑type therapies work for depression.

See reference [9].

• Auckland primary care RCT (n=57): at 1‑week, the FACT group had lower PHQ‑8 vs control (mean 7.4 vs 10.1); NNT≈4 for PHQ‑8 ≤ 6.
• Demonstrates that brief, in‑person psychological intervention can rapidly reduce depressive symptoms.

See reference [10].

• Adults in one‑to‑one therapy described gains in acceptance, resilience, purpose, social participation, and symptom management.
• Highlights “healing” aspects of counselling/therapy beyond symptom scores.

See reference [2].

• Clients and support people valued therapeutic alliance, empathy, continuity—the same factors that underpin in‑person counselling.
• Findings align with how counselling supports healing through safe, relational work.

See reference [13].

• 23 randomized trials with urine‑verified drug tests after incentives ended.
• CM increased the odds of abstinence at long‑term follow‑up (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01–1.44); longer treatment duration improved outcomes.
• Effects held against other active treatments (e.g., CBT, 12‑step facilitation) and intensive outpatient care.

See reference [5].

• Adults described a supportive therapeutic relationship, personalised feedback, and goal‑focused conversations as catalysts for change.
• Participants perceived MET as helpful for reducing use and maintaining change; several wanted more sessions.

See reference [6].

• Both brief CBT and MI + Workbook + Booster produced clinically meaningful reductions in gambling behaviour and harm.
• Economic analyses supported stepped‑care and person‑centred choice (similar costs; choose intensity to fit client preference and need).

See references [12], [12a].

• Three brief counselling arms (MI; MI+workbook; MI+workbook+booster) vs standard helpline care.
• Large reductions in days gambled and dollars lost over 12 months across groups; some subgroups benefited most from the more intensive arm.

See reference [11].

• Analyses indicate a return of ~$3.04–$7.14 per $1 invested (cost–benefit ratio 1:3.04–1:7.14) alongside reduced harm indicators.
• Partnership model (Police + Health + iwi/NGOs) linked clients to counselling and treatment pathways tailored to whānau context.

See reference [14].