Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The aim of this research is to deeply examine the experiences of school psychological counselors regarding advocacy. The research was conducted using a phenomenological design; the study group consisted of 20 school psychological counselors (7 male, 13 female) working in official educational institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using content analysis. The findings show that school psychological counselors experience advocacy at individual, institutional, and societal levels. Participants stated that they work in collaboration with students, families, teachers, and various institutions to identify students' needs and protect their rights; and that they carry out various advocacy activities regarding injustices encountered in the school environment. Furthermore, it was emphasized that poverty, inequality of opportunity, and structural problems related to education policies, in addition to family and individual factors, are influential in the problems experienced by students. The vast majority of participants considered advocacy as a professional responsibility based on justice, equality, and the protection of student rights. In conclusion, the findings indicate that school psychological counselors embrace combating discrimination and protecting student rights as a fundamental professional responsibility; However, this shows that they face significant institutional and systemic obstacles in fulfilling this responsibility.
Authors: Sema Bezmez, Abdullah Mücahit Aslan
Institution: Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University
Language: Turkish
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7224084056