Article credentials

Original Research

Trauma-Informed Counseling in the Philippine Context: A Scoping Review with Implications for University Counseling Services

A World Journal of Human Dynamics and Social Relations

ISSN Online: 3028-1997 | Print: 3028-1962

Volume 7 | Issue 1 | 2026 | 31 – 39

Rochelle T. Fernandez1, RGC, RPm

Welmer T. Adajar1, RGC

1University Counselor, Counseling and Psychological Services, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines

Article History:

Initial submission: 20 December 2025
First decision: 25 December 2025
Revision received: 10 January 2026
Accepted for publication: 13 January 2026
Online release: 23 January 2026

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Abstract

Trauma significantly affects university students’ mental health, emotional regulation, and academic functioning. Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) emphasizes safety, trust, empowerment, collaboration, and cultural responsiveness in counseling services. This scoping review aimed to map existing literature on traumainformed and culturally responsive counseling in Philippine universities using the PRISMA-ScR reporting guideline. Due to the absence of indexed studies, gray literature sources were systematically examined. Findings revealed emerging recognition of trauma-related student concerns, the presence of implicit traumainformed practices, and the influence of cultural and systemic factors on counseling responses. The review highlights significant gaps in research, training, and policy, underscoring the need for culturally grounded trauma-informed counseling frameworks in Philippine higher education.

Keywords: trauma-informed care, university counseling, higher education, Philippines

Cite this article

APA (7th edition)

Fernandez, R. T., & Adajar, W. T. (2026). Trauma-informed counseling in the Philippine context: A scoping review with implications for university counseling services. Social Science Lens: A World Journal of Human Dynamics and Social Relations, 7(1), 31–39. https://doi.org/10.62718/vmca.ssl-wjhdsr.7.1.SC-1225-014

Author contributions

Rochelle T. Fernandez: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Methodology, Software, Writing – original draft, Supervision;
Welmer T. Adajar, Validation, Visualization, Writing – review & editing.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Institutional ethics review statement

Ethics approval was not required for this study as it involved publicly available data.

Data availability statement

All data supporting the findings of this study are included within the manuscript and its supplementary materials.

Declaration of generative AI use/assistance

Al-assisted language editing was performed using ChatGPT; authors reviewed and approved all content.

Acknowledgement

– (not applicable)

Publisher’s disclaimer

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. The publisher disclaims any responsibility for errors or omissions.

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