Designing and implementing the "Self-care course for counselors" in order to develop self-care behaviors of counselors-in-training

The purpose of this study is to design and implement "The Self-Care Course for Counselors" (SCC) in order to gain awareness, knowledge, and skills and to explore the development of participants' self-care behaviors. The study was designed as "action research". Participants consisted of 20 (four male, 16 female) senior students in Guidance and Counseling Undergraduate Program at Anadolu University in 2016-2017 Spring Semester. Data were collected through observations, interviews, researcher and student diaries, validation committee reports, and the Well Star Scale. In data analysis, a comprehensive, cyclical, and spiral method were adopted both during and after the implementation phase. In the study, a 12-week self-care program that was structured on cognitive-emotional, spiritual, relational, professional, physical, and balance dimensions of self-care was designed and implemented. SCC was developed considering the learning-by-doing principle and active participation of the students. Within the learning-teaching process of SCC, a variety of activities were designed which allowed students to review and organize their own feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Almost all of the students participating in the program were found to be able to develop a level of awareness related to self-care dimensions and put this awareness into action. Furthermore, during the course, self-efficacy beliefs, hope and overall wellness level of the students were found to be increased. As a result, all these findings indicate that SCC supports students in acquiring awareness, knowledge, and skills in self-care, transferring these skills to their daily lives, thereby improving their wellness.