Between Crisis and Care: School Counselors’ Self-Efficacy in Communities Stricken by the 2023 Türkiye Earthquake

This study examines the self-efficacy beliefs of school psychological counselors working in regions affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye. Using a phenomenological research design, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 counselors employed in primary, middle, and high schools across five affected provinces. Data were analyzed with thematic analysis, which yielded four main themes: providing counseling, collaboration, crisis management, and working with different cultural or ethnic groups. Counselors identified factors influencing their self-efficacy, such as professional experience, physical working conditions, traumatic background, knowledge level, communication barriers, and cultural awareness. Recommendations for enhancing self-efficacy encompassed training, psychosocial support, supervision, improved physical conditions, and role clarity. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to strengthen counselors’ competencies and resilience in post-disaster contexts and emphasize the importance of both professional development and institutional support.