School Counsellors’ Challenges in Implementing Post-Disaster Psychosocial Support: Insights From the 2023 Turkey Earthquakes

Abstract

Following the February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Turkey, schools became key settings for children’s recovery, placing substantial demands on school counsellors. This qualitative study explored school counsellors’ post-disaster challenges and support needs through focus groups with 15 counsellors. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis. Four themes were identified: system-level, organisational, professional, and personal challenges. System-level challenges included barriers to implementing psychosocial support materials, mismatches between disaster/trauma regulations and practice, and an insufficient number of school counsellors. Organisational challenges involved limited collaboration with teachers and inadequate administrative support. Professional challenges encompassed limited access to disaster-specific training, lack of trauma-informed supervision, and professional isolation. Personal challenges reflected significant psychological strain, as many counsellors were also disaster survivors. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive disaster preparedness and recovery planning that includes sustained institutional and psychological support for school counsellors, alongside strengthened pre-service and in-service training.