Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Counsellors Work
Abstract
The study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on counsellors working with individuals of low-income in Canada, including the nationwide impact on mental health services. It examines the pandemic's impact on counsellors' work from their perspective. The research question is, "How has the pandemic impacted your work with low-income clients?". Concept mapping methodology was used to explore counsellors' responses. Participants generated responses to a focal question, involved in generating, grouping, sorting and analyzing the data. The four concepts included Changes in Roles, Expectations, and Procedures, Access to Counseling, an Increase in Clients’ Needs, and the Impact of Systemic Barriers. The results of the study were compared to the existing literature and contrasted with previous research literature.