Understanding human behavior and analyzing emotional and mental processes form the basis of the psychology profession and play a critical role in improving the quality of life of individuals. In this context, it is of great importance for psychology students preparing for the profession to gain competence so that they can move into the professional world with solid steps.

A symposium titled “The Client Has Entered, Is the Psychologist Ready? A Journey on Professional Competence” was held at Near East University for future psychologists. The symposium, organized in collaboration with the Department of Psychology of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Near East University, the Dean of Students and the Psychology Club, was organized with the aim of guiding students in their professional development.

The symposium, held at the Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan Republic Hall in the Grand Library of Near East University, was held in two sessions carried out in Turkish and English. The opening speeches of the symposium in Turkish were made by Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ and Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul. The opening speeches of the symposium, which was held in English, were made by Near East University Dean of Students Prof. Dr. Dudu Özkum Yavuz and Head of the English Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ezgi Ulu.

A journey into psychology with academic perspectives

The symposium, which was enriched with presentations by academics and professionals who are experts in their fields, comprehensively addressed various topics such as professional boundaries, ethical principles and society’s view of psychology. In addition, the importance of scientific knowledge-based practices and the necessity of specialization were emphasized.

In the first session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bade Yaya made a presentation on the effects of gaining professional identity after graduation on psychological counseling processes in her presentation titled “I Have a Diploma, However, Am I a Psychologist?” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Buran touched on the risks of moving away from scientific knowledge and methods of accessing accurate information in her speech titled “Lost Reality in Popular Psychology: Safe Protection of What is Stimulated with Information.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ezgi Ulu drew attention to the differences between academic knowledge and the perception of psychology in society with her presentation titled “How to Close the Gap Between Folk Psychology and Academic Psychology?”

In the second session, Specialist Ülkem Karakaş addressed the uncertainties experienced by students in their professional orientation processes with the topic “Area Selection Anxiety.” Then, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Meryem Karaziz emphasized the fundamental role of listening skills in psychology with her presentation titled “Everyone Tells, Who Listens?” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bingül Subaşı provided a comprehensive view of psychologists’ in-service supervision processes and ethical responsibilities with her presentation titled “Ethics, Supervision and Professional Boundaries.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fahriye Balkır, who made the closing presentation of the symposium, explained how continuous learning and individual development affect professional competence under the title “Psychologists Leading Their Own Development.”