Abstract

MITCHELL, Gregory; GRADIDGE, Dalray  and  NTLOKWANA, Nomalungelo. Counsellors' experiences of integrating virtual interventions to provide mental health support for students. JSAA [online]. 2024, vol.12, n.2, pp.1-17. ISSN 2307-6267.  https://doi.org/10.24085/jsaa.v12i2.5449.

This study sought to explore the experiences of counsellors at Nelson Mandela University's Emthonjeni Student Wellness counselling unit regarding the implementation of a blended counselling model which integrated virtual interventions into the existing practice model. Grounded theory methodology was employed to generate an understanding of the evolving counselling practices and the growing acceptance of a blended model in a student counselling centre at a South African public university. The establishment of the new model entailed the integration of psychological knowledge and experience with other domains of knowledge, such as information technology; professional ethics; and student support. The data for this article were collected through semi-structured interviews with counsellors working at the university's counselling unit. The theoretical framework emerging from this study sheds light on the evolution of counselling practices within the university context and how students' mental health and wellness can be supported using virtual interventions. The study identified five main themes to be addressed in the establishment of a blended counselling model: the transition to integration; challenges and obstacles; benefits and advantages; diversity and uniqueness; and training issues for counsellors. It was found that key concepts that can form the basis of a blended counselling model and the training and development of counsellors required to establish such a model, include adaptation and flexibility, technological proficiency, cultural sensitivity and diversity, and boundary management. Each of these key concepts relates to areas for skill development in counsellors. In addition, it was found that an integrative, evidence- and scholarship-based approach to analysing these concepts would produce significant benefits for student counselling services at South African public universities.

Keywords : Counselling; student mental health; virtual interventions.

        · text in English     · English ( pdf )