Examining the Views of Training Psychological Counselors on Trauma: A Qualitative Study

This study aimed to examine the views of training counselors working with trauma on the concept of trauma. In this context, training counselors were interviewed regarding the symptoms observed in traumatized individuals and their views on the post-traumatic recovery process. The study was conducted using the phenomenology design, a qualitative research method. Criterion sampling, one of the purposive sampling methods, was used to determine the study group. The study group consisted of 10 psychological counselors, 6 (60%) female and 4 (40%) male, who had received training in training in trauma and were working in public institutions. A semi-structured interview form was prepared by consulting field experts to collect data from the participants. The data obtained from the training counselors' views were analyzed using the content analysis technique. As a result of the study, a total of 5 themes were created regarding the symptoms observed in traumatized individuals: Physical and Behavioral Symptoms, Emotional Symptoms, Cognitive Symptoms, Psychological Symptoms, and Course of Symptoms. A total of six themes were generated regarding the views of training counselors on the post-traumatic recovery process: Stages of Recovery, Positive Influencing Factors, Negative Influencing Factors, Social Support Systems, Individual Strengths, and Individual Weaknesses. The results of the study were discussed in light of the relevant literature, and recommendations were included.