Problems of counseling in social work

Abstract

The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the problems arising in the process of counseling in social work in the current conditions of Ukrainian society. Given the transformational changes caused by socio-economic instability, the consequences of war, and the growing number of clients in crisis situations, counseling activities are becoming particularly important. The article reveals the theoretical foundations of social counseling as one of the key technologies of social work and outlines the approaches that determine professional interaction with the client. A review of scientific sources highlighting the conceptual, organizational, and applied aspects of counseling has been conducted.

The study identifies and analyzes the main groups of problems that complicate the counseling process. These include: insufficient professional training and limited opportunities for supervisory support; high levels of emotional stress and risks of professional burnout; limited resources and uneven availability of social services; ethical dilemmas and conflicts of interest that arise in the practice of social workers. Particular attention is paid to the impact of clients' traumatic experiences caused by military events on the specifics of counseling, as well as the challenges of digitalization, which create new conditions and barriers for online support.

The need to develop areas for improving counseling activities has been substantiated, in particular the introduction of trauma-informed approaches, strengthening interagency cooperation, developing supervisory practices, and improving the professional training and digital competencies of specialists. It is emphasized that solving the outlined problems will contribute to improving the quality of social services, the effectiveness of client support, and the overall strengthening of the social work system in Ukraine.