Guidance teacher perceptions regarding the difficulties faced in the application of Psychological Counseling and Guidance services

Psychological counseling and guidance (PDR) is a psychological support process that enables the individual; to understand himself by noticing his strengths as well as his weaknesses to use his potential, to develop his effective decision-making and problem solving skills thus to realize himself. PDR Services have a great importance in the developmental and psychological needs of children and young people. It is important for the development of these services to evaluate the problems encountered in these studies, and the effectiveness of the practice by the guidance counselors. The aim of this study is to identify the problem areas by examining the difficulties encountered by psychological counselors and guidance teachers, working in high schools in Çorum province, in the implementation of PDR services. The research data were obtained through face-to-face interviews with psychological counselors and guidance teachers by using the interview technique. The study group of the study consists of participants who meet the criteria within the scope of the problematic of the research, determined by the purposive sampling method. The sample of the research consists of 12 female and 8 male psychological counselors and guidance teachers, who were determined by the same method among school psychological counselors and guidance teachers, working in secondary education institutions in Çorum. In the interview form, there are 9 open-ended questions about the activities carried out within the scope of school guidance services, the problems encountered during the implementation of these activities, the applications that are planned but cannot be fulfilled, the institutions with which cooperation is made, the hindering and helpful factors in the implementation of the guidance services, suggestions, and professional development. The data were analyzed with the content analysis technique, one of the qualitative research data analysis techniques. With this analysis technique, data were made statistical by creating different themes and sub-themes and codes under these themes. The psychological counseling and guidance services, which have been in practice in schools for more than 50 years, have progressed over time but some problems still continue. Keywords: Psychological Counseling, Psychological Counselor, Guidance Teacher, School Mental Health Services