Open Access

ARTICLE

Experiences and Needs of Counselors Providing Disaster Psychological Support: A Focus Group Study

Hyangjin Park¹, Jung Eun Kim², So Yeon Yoo^3,*
1 Department of Nursing, Catholic Kkottongnae University, Cheongju City, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea
2 Department of Nursing, Geoje University, Geoje City, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
3 Department of Nursing, Kyungil University, Gyeongsan City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
* Corresponding Author: So Yeon Yoo. Email:

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2026.084570

Received 25 April 2026; Accepted 31 July 2026; Published online 04 September 2026

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant psychological distress and increased the demand for mental health counseling. Counselors providing disaster psychological support are repeatedly exposed to trauma and may experience psychological burden and burnout. This study aimed to explore their experiences and to gain an in-depth understanding of the needs that emerged during the counseling process. Methods: This qualitative study collected data through focus group interviews with 22 counselors (18 women and 4 men) who provided mental health counseling to COVID-19 patients and individuals in quarantine. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The results revealed one overarching theme, “Striving to become a counselor who continuously grows while overcoming burnout,” along with three interrelated subthemes: “Experiencing burnout and the need for recovery support in disaster counseling,” “Understanding human beings in counseling and the need for related education,” and “Enhancing counseling competence and the need for training.” Participants specifically emphasized the need for peer support and supervision, an appropriate institutional reward and leave system, self-care and self-reflection education, and scenario-based simulation training. Conclusions: Counselors’ experiences extended beyond burnout to a dynamic process of professional growth linked to their recognition of the need for organizational support, education, and competency development. Organizational support and practice-oriented training, alongside individual coping strategies, are essential to help counselors manage burnout and sustain a disaster psychological support system.

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Keywords

Qualitative research; focus group interviews; disaster psychological support; COVID-19

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