School Counseling During the COVID-19 Crisis—From Crisis to Growth

Abstract

This study focuses on the role of school counselors during the COVID-19 crisis. Previous studies indicated that school counselling lacks a robust professional identity and an unequivocal role definition. Therefore, this study seeks to explore how the school counselors operated during the pandemic and to what extent the school counselor was a significant figure in coping with the challenges of schools, teachers, students, and parents during the crisis. The study focuses on school counselors in Israel, the structure of their work before and during the COVID crisis, and conclusions for the profession’s future. Based on eleven school counselors’ interviews, the research findings raised the need to hold a significant discussion and reexamination of the essence of school counseling role. They emphasize that, due to the sense of chaos and uncertainty among the school staff and students, the work of school counselors in Israel during the pandemic became limited mainly to systemic work and guidance and support of the teachers. The findings attempt to reach conclusions regarding school counselor’s future work structure, clarify their role, and highlight deficiencies that afflict this role.