Professional needs of psychological counsellors in China: a comprehensive investigation utilising the ERG theory

ABSTRACT

Based on the ERG (Existence, Relatedness and Growth) theory, a scale was developed to evaluate the professional needs of psychological counsellors in China and its related factors were explored. A total of 209 counsellors participated in the study and completed two online questionnaires. The majority of participants were female (n = 163, 78%). The average age of participants is 41.00 (SD = 8.66). The results showed that the existence needs ($\overline{x}$= 4.49, SD = 0.60), relatedness needs ($\overline{x}$= 4.20, SD = 0.65) and growth needs ($\overline{x}$= 4.66, SD = 0.50) of counsellors were all at a high level. Work setting, marital status and regular supervision had a significant influence on the professional needs of counsellors. Counsellors working in private practice had more existence and growth needs compared to those working in institutions. Counsellors, who were married, had more existence and relatedness needs than those who were single. Counsellors without regular supervision had more existence, relatedness and growth needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Psychological counsellor
• Professional needs
• ERG theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are publicly available. The corresponding author can be contacted upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Academic Leader of Health Discipline of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission [grant number 2022XD025]; General project of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission [grant number 202140054].

Notes on contributors

Qihui Guo

Qihui Guo received his master’s degree at Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. He is currently a PhD candidate at the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. His research interests include counselling psychology and cognitive neuroscience.

Yixin Zeng

Yixin Zeng received her master’s degree at Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. She is currently an assistant teacher at the Mental Health Education and Counseling Center, Donghua University, China. Her research interests include development of psychological counsellors, psychological interventions and school counselling.

Chuankun Cai

Chuankun Cai received his master’s degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Sheffield, UK. His research interests include psychology research methods and counselling psychology.

Ang Hong

Ang Hong received his master’s degree at Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. He is currently a psychotherapist at Shanghai Mental Health Center in China. His research interests include the impact of childhood trauma on the development of anxiety disorder.

Jianyu Wang

Jianyu Wang received her master’s degree at Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. She is currently a psychotherapist at Shanghai Mental Health Center in China. Her research interests include counselling psychology, mindfulness and counselling education.

Qing Fan

Qing Fan received her PhD at the School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China. She is currently a chief physician and professor at Shanghai Mental Health Center in China. Her research interests include clinical psychology, cognitive behaviour therapy, mindfulness and counselling education.