"We Are All in This Together": Coping With Stress During Uncertain Times With Somatic Experiencing

• In Event: AERA Virtual Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: Impact of COVID-19 on Counseling-Related Topics

Abstract

Covid-19 pandemic induced excessive stress and anxiety among many who are dealing with invisible danger. Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a resiliency-based approach that focuses on these conditioned responses of the nervous system. This study aims to increase the resiliency factors through a SE-based group counseling process. Two groups consisting of 9 individuals attended a group process for eight weeks. Besides the individual interviews, The COPE Revised and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale were implemented. As a result of ANCOVA, it was found that the group process was statistically significant for both reducing stress and developing coping strategies. As a result of the qualitative content analysis of the interviews, five themes emerged: hope, universality, cohesiveness, insight, and interpersonal output (new behavior).

Authors

• Dilara Özel, Middle East Technical University

• Bilge Nuran Aydoğdu