The Role of Psychological Counseling in Improving Quality of Life and Psychological Well-being

Abstract

Despite significant advances in the field of mental health, the prevalence of emotional disorders and reduced quality of life in various populations, especially in the educational community, continues to increase. Therefore, the present study, using a descriptive-analytical method and with the aim of clarifying the multifaceted role of psychological counseling in increasing the quality of life and psychological well-being, was conducted in four main areas: increasing psychological capital (hope, optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy), the effectiveness of new cognitive-behavioral and positive approaches, a theoretical review of indigenous counseling models, and providing innovative strategies for preventing emotional disorders in line with sustainable educational development. The findings showed that interventions based on psychological capital and cognitive emotion regulation training have a significant effect on increasing resilience and self-efficacy, as well as reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Positive approaches showed greater effectiveness in increasing psychological well-being compared to cognitive-behavioral therapy. Indigenous models, such as mystical psychotherapy based on Rumi's worldview and indigenous compassion-focused therapy, with an emphasis on the components of the "authentic self" and in line with Islamic-Iranian beliefs, have a high capacity to increase treatment acceptance and maintain therapeutic effects.