From Coping to Thriving: The Evolution of Crisis Counselling, Resilience, and Existential Well-Being (1980-2026)

Abstract

This paper examines the evolution of crisis counselling, resilience conceptualizations, and existential dimensions of psychological support from the early 1980s to the present, aligning historical foundations with innovations in theory, research, and practice. Anchored in Coping with Crisis18 and Beyond Resilience17, the analysis traces transitions from coping as reaction to adversity, to resilience as dynamic adaptation, to contemporary frameworks that foreground mastery, meaning, and existential well-being. The review situates these developments within evidence-based crisis intervention models, systemic approaches to mental health support, and emergent technological and community strategies. Implications for mental health systems, particularly within European contexts, are discussed, and future directions are proposed for integrative research, practice, and policy.