STRENGTHENING SCHOOL COUNSELORS’ COMPETENCE TO ENHANCE STUDENTS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

In the course of the development of the 21st century, students were confronted with a number of challenges from modern education regarding academic pressure, impact of cyber cultures, and requirements of social-emotional adjustments. In this respect, it is necessary that school counselors continue to strive with the development of professional skills in order to support students in enhancing the reinforcement of resilience, self-management, and achieving a sound psychological condition. The approach of this research uses a qualitative review technique, interpreting 30 articles that are both locally and globally released from 2010 to 2024. The interpretation of articles uses a technique of content analysis, clarifying that the central theme is categorized concerning professional skills, implementation practices, and implications for enhancing psychological conditions for students. The implications of the current research clearly mention that the four pillars of professional skills enhancement of school counselors are as follows: enhancement of professional identity, familiarity with modern counseling practices, engagement with cyber technology, and proper sensitivity to multi-cultural collaboration. Secondary, SEL interventions, cyber-based counseling practices, and collaboration with teachers as well as parents also supported in making progress toward enhancement of students’ skill of regulating emotions, thereby diminishing anxiety. In consideration of the explained implications, professional developments, educational support, practices of cyber-based counseling, are also pertinents to make a school counselor capable in enhancing students’ complete development, as well as psychological soundness, in the contemporary era of the globe.