The primary aim of this work has been to produce a comprehensive review of all the English-language studies of workplace counselling published between 1980 and 2005. In order to enable users to gain ready access to the primary sources, it has been restricted to items published in books and journals that are in the public domain. The review incorporates research into a wide range of workplace counselling: effectiveness, utilisation, attitudes to counselling, referral networks, the process of counselling and the characteristics of counsellors.

The review is intentionally pluralistic, incorporating qualitative as well as quantitative studies. It reflects the diversity and current status of research into workplace counselling, and constructs a narrative that links research findings to policy and practice.

The report will appeal to counselling practitioners and administrators as well as purchasers and users of workplace counselling services.