Peer Support and Solidarity Group Model for the Development of Psychological Counselor Candidates During The Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic Process

The purpose of this article is to introduce the Peer Support Solidarity (PSS) Group Model carried out by YÖRET Foundation and to share the findings obtained as a result of the implemantation of the model. PSS is a developmental and support group model developed for the professional and psychosocial support of psychological counselors and counseling candidates during the pandemic. The study group in this research consisted of 20 counseling candidates who participated in the PSS group. The research was designed as an action research model. Students in the study group submitted their applications through an open call form, and PSS sessions lasting five weeks were conducted with the students. At the end of each session, participants' views and needs regarding the process, as well as the facilitator's observations, were collected, and subsequent sessions were organized based on this feedback. At the end of the implementation, focus group interviews were conducted with the participants, and the research results were analyzed. The findings obtained from the interviews were examined in themes such as the purpose of applying to the PSS Group, contributions of the PSS Group, most challenging experiences in the group, most beneficial experiences in the group, and experiences related to the facilitator.