“…In addition, there is encouraging research (Baca and Koss-Chioino, 1997;Schechtman, Hiradin and Zina, 2003) that indicated the effectiveness of group counselling in collective societies. Positive outcomes included higher retention rates in group counselling, a reduction in symptoms of psychopathology, improved family interactions (Baca and Koss-Chioino, 1997), and the ability to engage in and gain from group process (Schechtman et al, 2003). Given the traditional Asian characteristic of interdependent self-construal (Markus and Kitayama, 1991), that is, the tendency to rely on, and be obligated to, social relationships, group counselling would offer an empowering environment for young people in Asia as well as those living in the West to learn appropriate expressions of validation, warmth, sincerity, and openness.…”