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Seaward, H., Wangmo, T., Vogel, T., Graf, M., Egli-Alge, M., Liebrenz, M. et al. (2021). What Characterizes a Good Mental Health Professional in Court-Mandated Treatment Settings: Findings from a Qualitative Study with Older Patients and Mental Health Care Professionals. BMC Psychology, 9, Article No. 121.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00624-4

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Therapist Support, Professional Growth, and the Therapeutic Relationship in Mandated Counselling in Singapore: A Qualitative Study

  AUTHORS: Denise Edna Jeevan Ponnampalam

  KEYWORDS: Mandated Counselling, Therapeutic Relationship, Therapist Support, Professional Growth, Qualitative Research, Singapore

  JOURNAL NAME: Open Journal of Social Sciences, Vol.13 No.11, November 28, 2025

  ABSTRACT: This qualitative study explores therapists’ experiences of providing mandated counselling within the Singapore court-referral system, with a focus on therapist support, professional growth, and the centrality of the therapeutic relationship. Drawing upon in-depth interviews with 22 therapists, five overarching themes emerged: (i) therapists’ perceptions of mandated clients, (ii) managing dual-role conflicts, (iii) sustaining therapeutic relationships during breaches and resistance, (iv) integrative psychotherapeutic interventions, and (v) professional support and growth. Verbatim accounts highlighted the role of empathy, unconditional positive regard, humour, and collaborative goal-setting in transforming resistance into therapeutic opportunity. Findings also reveal how supervision, reflective practice, and continuous training are crucial for therapists’ resilience and mental growth. This paper argues that mandated counselling, while complex, can serve as a profoundly positive and transformative process—for both clients and therapists—when relationships are nurtured and supports are embedded.