The integration of counseling services into veterinary medical programs is on the rise, yet there has been little assessment of their effectiveness until recently. A recent study from researchers at the University of Missouri found that these embedded counseling programs not only improve access to mental health support but also significantly lessen psychological distress among veterinary students.
“This is the first study we know of that assesses the effectiveness of mental health counseling for veterinary students,” stated Kerry Karaffa, PhD, a licensed psychologist at Mizzou’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “In our analysis of embedded counseling models, we discovered that merely one-third of veterinary mental health practitioners were gathering outcome data from their clients. Collecting data is essential to understand if our interventions are effective. When students are aware of the positive outcomes associated with counseling, they may be more inclined to seek help.”
For this investigation, Karaffa collaborated with fellow Mizzou psychologists Tiffany Sanford-Martens, PhD, and Anne Meyer, PhD. Together, they performed an archival analysis of data from 437 students enrolled in the doctor of veterinary medicine program, alongside veterinary interns and residents who participated in embedded counseling services from 2016 to 2024.
The findings revealed that veterinary students who utilized embedded counseling services experienced reductions in psychological distress across every category of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-62, which includes issues related to depression, anxiety, academic stress, eating disorders, and substance use. Additionally, the study unearthed several challenges that veterinary students often face alongside mental health issues, such as financial stress, chronic health conditions, and histories of trauma.
“These findings imply that embedded counseling programs might empower veterinary students to better handle their personal and academic hurdles during their studies,” Karaffa commented.
Broader implications: insights for veterinary medicine and beyond
Beyond assessing the efficacy of embedded counseling at the Mizzou College of Veterinary Medicine, the study also compared the experiences and needs of veterinary students with those of other college students seeking counseling. The research indicated that there were no significant differences across most metrics, underscoring the potential importance of counseling services in supporting student mental health, regardless of their area of study.
Karaffa believes that the knowledge gained from veterinary medicine can have wider applications, leading to improved support for all students and enriching understanding among mental health practitioners. He also urges other providers of embedded counseling to include clinical progress tracking in their frameworks to improve services and support informed decision-making.
“This strategy would allow us to monitor mental health trends, enhance our practices, tailor outreach initiatives, and showcase the effectiveness of embedded services to relevant stakeholders,” he explained. “Ultimately, this could foster a culture of seeking help and inform funding and resource distribution decisions.”
“Client Characteristics and the Effectiveness of Embedded Counseling Services in a College of Veterinary Medicine” was published in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education.
