Provision of Counselling and Psychotherapy for Boarders and Ex‐Boarders From Elite Boarding Schools: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT Background The psychological impact of attending elite boarding schools is of increasing interest to counsellors and psychotherapists. However, little academic research has explored the provision of interventions for supporting current and ex‐boarders. Objectives This scoping review aimed to capture the existing evidence by identifying studies investigating the provision and effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for this population. Methods Included items had to be journal articles in English, from any date, peer‐reviewed, presenting empirical studies conducted in the context of elite boarding schools. Types of studies included were qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods and structured case studies. Included studies had to focus on the provision/experience of delivering or receiving counselling or psychotherapy for current or ex‐boarders. Searches of ProQuest, PsycINFO and EBSCO databases happened on 25 October 2024. Data charted from included studies were citation, aim, methodology, participant population and key findings. Narrative synthesis was used for data analysis. Results Most excluded items did not focus on counselling and psychotherapy (CAP). Of those eligible for inclusion, five related to the provision and effectiveness of CAP and three to the experience of receiving or providing CAP. Included studies came from the USA (4), the UK (2), Malaysia (1) and Indonesia (1), with most presenting cognitive‐behavioural or psychoanalytic approaches. Conclusions Future research is recommended into how and by whom counselling and psychotherapy are provided to children, young people and staff in elite boarding schools, as scant evidence is available. To inform best practice, research is also needed into the efficacy and accessibility of different interventions for adult ex‐boarders.