Abstract

This study aimed to examine the disaster psychology support system in Korea and the U.S. as well as crisis counseling programs in the U.S.. Further, it drew implications to suggest directions for the implementation of a Korean psychological support system in the aftermath of COVID-19. Thus, the activities of disaster intervention were analyzed, focusing on the telephone counseling provided by the COVID-19 Special Committee of the Korean Psychological Association. The main implications of this study are as follows. First, a telephone counseling system was promptly established based on rapid decisionmaking. Second, the organization formed a systemic relationship, such as the promotion of telephone counseling and case links, in connection with public systems such as the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Third, a standardized framework was prepared for crisis intervention by producing and distributing crisis intervention manuals. Fourth, in addition to issues related to COVID-19, the various difficulties of people exposed to disasters and the need to provide a wide range of psychological counseling services were confirmed. Fifth, systemic protection should be provided for counselors. Finally, suggestions based on the results and the implications of this study are discussed.