The Development and Transformation of Group Counselling Modules in Chinese Universities: A Literature Review

The purpose of this study was to investigate the development, organisation, and efficiency of groupcounselling modules in Chinese universities based on an in-depth review of the literature. Particularattention was given to how international psychological models have been taken up and reworked withinthe Chinese socio-cultural and educational environments. A Systematic literature review was performedthrough the examination of 23 peer-reviewed articles published from 2000 to 2024. Sources were selectedbased on their relevance to group counselling practice in Chinese higher education, with data extractedfrom thematic areas including historical development, theoretical adaptation, structural design,effectiveness, and implementation challenges.The review established a swift transition from Westernmodelledgroup counselling programmes towards more local, culture-fitted practices. Positivepsychological impacts such as lowered anxiety and increased social connection were evidenced, whileconsiderable gaps exist in standardisation, cultural fitting, and long-term evaluation. Stigma,institutional forgetting, and limited resources are challenges faced, but recent innovations point towardsthe use of digital media and cross-disciplinary innovation.The research provides an integrated understanding of the evolution of group counselling in Chineseuniversities. It highlights the imperatives of culturally adapted, standardised, and student-centredpractice. It demands policy, pedagogical, and research coordination to maximise the effectiveness ofgroup counselling in the higher education sector in China. Received: 22 November 2025 / Accepted: 15 February 2026 / Published: March 2026