The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered mental health counseling, transforming both the delivery of services and the nature of clients' presenting issues at a university level. This research explored the counselor experience pre-and post-pandemic, focusing on the shifts in counseling modalities, the emerging mental health challenges, and the adaptation of counselors to a rapidly changing environment. Utilizing a convergent parallel mixed-method design, the researchers administered Counselor Initial Development Plan-Counselor Competency Survey and focus group discussions to 12 university counselors from a university in Manila, Philippines. The research highlights the ways counselors adapted to these challenges, including technological adoption and evolving techniques and interventions. Post-pandemic, a hybrid model of counseling has emerged, with counselors balancing both in-person and virtual sessions while addressing an ongoing increase in mental health concerns exacerbated by the long-term effects of the pandemic. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving role of counselors, the challenges faced, and the innovations that emerged in response to the global health crisis.

Authors:
Rochelle Fernandez, De La Salle University, Philippines
Patricia Mae Taba, De La Salle University, Philippines
Maria Joana Kristiana Riñoza, De La Salle University, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Ms. Rochelle T. Fernandez-Pascual, RGC, RPm, CCTP is a University Counselor at De La Salle
University-Manila. She is currently a Doctorate in Counselor Education candidate at Miriam College, Quezon City,

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rochelle-Fernandez-6

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