Problems of counseling in social work
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26565/2218-2470-2025-15-05Keywords:
social counseling, social work, professional competence, supervision, emotional burnout, traumatic experience, crisis intervention, client motivation, digitalization of social services, online counseling, ethical dilemmas, organizational barriers, trauma-informed approachAbstract
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.
Downloads
References
State standard for social counseling services: approved by Order of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine № 678 dated July 2, 2015. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z0866-15#Text (accessed September 15, 2015) [in Ukrainian].
Dudnik, O. (2021). Learned helplessness and depression: features of the relationship. Psychological Journal, 7, 37–45. https://doi.org/10.31499/2617-2100.7.2021.234571 [in Ukrainian].
Zhinchyn, M. (2024). Social counseling in the context of working with internally displaced persons. Politeness. Humanitas, 3, 40–47 [in Ukrainian].
Kyrylenko, V. (2020). Consultative practices in social work: teaching manual. Kyiv : University «Ukraine» [in Ukrainian].
Kulava, K. O. (2025). The role of crisis counseling in building resilience in social work clients. Public Administration and Social Work, 1, 54–59 [in Ukrainian].
Pozhidaeva, O. (2012). The essence and types of counseling in social and educational activities. Bulletin of Zaporizhzhia National University: collection of scientific works. Series: Pedagogical Sciences, 1, 22–25 [in Ukrainian].
On Social Services: Law of Ukraine № 2671-VIII of January 17, 2019. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2671-19#Text (accessed: 12.10.2015) [in Ukrainian].
Romanovskaya, L. (2019). The place and role of counseling in the professional activity of future social workers. Social and educational dominants of professional training of specialists in the social sphere and inclusive education: collection of scientific articles. Berdiansk : Berdiansk State Pedagogical University, 45–52 [in Ukrainian].
Rudenko, T. P. (2019). Social counseling as a component of social work to provide assistance to vulnerable groups of the population. Social work and modernity: theory and practice of solving problems of participants and victims of armed conflicts: materials of the IX International Scientific and Practical Conference. Kyiv : InterService Scientific and Production Company, 166–168 [in Ukrainian].
Semygina, T. (2020). Modern social work. Kyiv : Academy of Labor, Social Relations and Tourism [in Ukrainian].
Stolyaryk, O. Yu. & Semygina, T. V. (2024). Trauma-informed approaches: importance in the training of social workers and directions for development. Pedagogical Academy: scientific notes, 10. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13895828 [in Ukrainian].
Stolyaryk, O. Yu., & Semygina, T. V. (2022). Strengths-based approach: an overview of the basic principles. Politeness. Humanitas, 4, 59–67. https://doi.org/10.32782/humanitas/2022.4.8 [in Ukrainian].
Sulitsky, V. V., & Shved, O. V. (2023). Counseling in social work: teaching and methodological manual. Kyiv : Vinichenko Publishing House [in Ukrainian].
Kharchenko, S. Ya. (2011). Social and pedagogical counseling: scientific and methodological manual for students of higher educational institutions. Luhansk : State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University [in Ukrainian].
Khlivnyuk, T., & Kulava, K. (2021). Methods of social counseling for different categories of individuals and families. Scientific notes of the Mykhailo Kotsyubinsky Vinnytsia State Pedagogical University. Pedagogy and psychology, 67, 122–127 [in Ukrainian].
