<![CDATA[This scoping review mapped counselling approaches for adults living with HIV in healthcare and linked community settings. Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect were searched up to 27 December 2025 for English-language original studies published between January 2021 and December 2025. Following predefined screening procedures, 14 studies were included. Data were independently charted by three reviewers and synthesised using narrative and thematic approaches. Four categories were identified: intensive adherence counselling, task-shared psychological care, peer-supported differentiated service delivery, and digitally mediated counselling. The studies most frequently reported improvements in ART initiation, medication-taking behaviour, retention, acceptability, and linkage to care, whereas evidence for sustained viral suppression was less consistent. More favourable outcomes were commonly reported when counselling was integrated with peer support, medication access, service redesign, or digital follow-up. Implementation barriers included stigma, inadequate privacy, staff workload, workforce shortages, incomplete referrals, and weak continuity with clinical care. Interpretation is limited by heterogeneous designs and outcomes, multicomponent interventions, English-language restrictions, limited database coverage, and the absence of formal quality appraisal. Future studies should standardise counselling content, exposure, fidelity, and outcomes and use longer follow-up periods.]]>
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