Supported by the General Directorate of Civil Society Relations of the Ministry of Interior, in partnership with Malatya Governorship, with the scientific consultancy of Üsküdar Üniversitesi, and carried out by the Valuable Lives Education Association (DEHADER), the '1st Module: Family Dynamics and Communication' training was organized within the scope of the 365 Days Family Project. In the online training, the mentorship system strengthening family structure, individual awareness processes, positive psychotherapy-based communication techniques, and active listening methods with children were thoroughly discussed with presentations by expert speakers and answers to participants' questions.
The online program was attended by Dr. Mert Akcanbaş, Lecturer at the Psychology Department, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Director of Üsküdar Üniversitesi AİLEMER, Specialist Clinical Psychologist Sera Elbaşoğlu and Specialist Clinical Psychologist Özgenur Taşkın from NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi.
Clinical Psychologist Edibe Serra Erol moderated the interview.
Dr. Mert Akcanbaş, Lecturer: “Mentorship is a special art of guidance”
Dr. Mert Akcanbaş, Lecturer at the Psychology Department, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, who outlined the theoretical and practical framework of the mentorship concept, emphasized that mentorship should not be confused with therapy. Akcanbaş stated: 'While mentors aim for development, learning, and competence enhancement, therapists focus on repairing dysfunctional structures. Mentorship is a personalized art of guidance where boundaries are more flexible. In this process, effective listening and the ability to ask the right questions are vital. A mentor is someone who guides without imposing, aware of their own culture and the cultural codes of the client.'
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Sera Elbaşoğlu: “The first step in the mentorship process is to increase self-awareness...”
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Sera Elbaşoğlu, who delivered the Awareness module in the training, stated that a person's insight into themselves is a prerequisite for both psychological resilience and healthy communication. Elbaşoğlu said: 'Awareness is the ability to perceive one's own emotions, thoughts, and behavioral patterns. As in the Johari Window model, recognizing one's blind spots prevents conflicts in relationships. Without understanding their own internal processes, impulses, and needs, a person cannot make behavioral changes or correctly understand others. Therefore, the first step in the mentorship process is to increase self-awareness.'
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Özgenur Taşkın: “Not Pollyannaism, but realistic optimism”
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Özgenur Taşkın, who addressed positive psychotherapy-based communication techniques, emphasized that positive communication does not mean constant positive thinking, but rather that the main goal is realistic optimism. Taşkın said: 'Our brain is structurally more prone to focusing on the negative. Positive communication is not about ignoring problems, but the ability to focus on solutions despite the negative. In relationships, using non-blaming 'I' language instead of 'you' language disables defense mechanisms and creates a basis for constructive dialogue. While fearing a pessimistic wind, a realistically optimistic person adjusts their sails accordingly.'
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Edibe Serra Erol: "Hearing a child is not enough, understanding is necessary"
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Edibe Serra Erol, who explained effective communication methods with children, drew attention to the importance of active listening in parents' communication with their children. Erol stated: 'Most of the time we teach children to speak, but we neglect to listen to them. Listening is not just hearing, but correctly understanding the child's emotion and need. Especially in moments of crisis, instead of rejecting the child's emotion, it is necessary to name it and provide space for it. Instead of imperative mood or accusatory language, asking open-ended questions that are based on cooperation and allow the child to express themselves strengthens the bond of trust.'
The online event concluded after the questions were answered.