Topics such as “The Wisdom of Self-Compassion in Therapy”, “Forgiveness in Dyadic Relationships”, “Psychological Resilience in Relationships”, and “Building Positive Relationships” are being discussed at the congress, organized with the theme of ‘Positive Psychology in Interpersonal Relationships’ and attended by world-renowned scientists. Congress President, Üsküdar University Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stated that in its early days, positive psychology was mistaken for life coaching and personal development, and its theoretical foundation was questioned, adding, “The theoretical foundations of positive psychology are based on neuroscience.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan: “The era of unnecessarily delving into childhood in many cases is over. An era of respectful medicine regarding people's traumas has begun.”
The 6th International Positive Psychology Congress, organized this year by Üsküdar University in partnership with NPİSTANBUL Hospital, NP Etiler & Feneryolu Medical Center, the Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Association, and the Positive Psychology Institute, hosts global experts conducting studies in the field. This year's theme for the two-day congress has been determined as “Positive Psychology in Interpersonal Relationships”.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan made the opening speech
The two-day congress at Üsküdar University Central Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall began with opening speeches by Congress President and Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Vice Dean Dr. Lecturer Elif Kurtuluş Anarat, and Congress General Secretary, Positive Psychology Coordinator Dr. Lecturer Fatma Turan.
“In the early days, it was thought to be life coaching and personal development…”
In the program broadcast live on ÜÜTV, Congress President and Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that in its early days, positive psychology was mistaken for life coaching and personal development, and its theoretical foundation was questioned, adding, “The theoretical foundations of positive psychology are based on neuroscience.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that he wrote books on preventive mental health in the 2000s because there was a paradigm shift in medicine, and said, “The most important thing in the changing paradigm of health is the protection of health.”
Tarhan emphasized the importance of efforts to prevent people from getting sick, saying, “Primary prevention is protecting health to prevent society from falling ill. Secondary prevention is identifying risk groups, early diagnosis of risk groups, and including them in treatment. Tertiary prevention after treatment is working to prevent recurrence…”
“Instead of opening wounds in traumas, the era of how to treat without opening wounds has emerged…”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that the method of treating without opening wounds has now become idealized in medicine, stating, “What is the equivalent of treating without opening wounds in psychiatry? In psychoanalysis, one delves into a person’s childhood. Some problems are brought from the past to the present. The person becomes hostile to their parents. When trauma cannot be resolved, more noisy situations can be encountered. The era of unnecessarily delving into childhood in many cases is over. An era of respectful medicine regarding people's traumas has begun. Instead of revealing traumas and opening wounds, how can we treat without opening wounds? This era has emerged.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the ideal treatment is one performed without interfering with a person's traumas, and that strengthening the positive leads to the improvement of the negative.
Dr. Tayyab Rashid, one of the pioneers of positive psychotherapy, will speak tomorrow
Tarhan also stated that one of the pioneers of positive psychotherapy is Dr. Tayyab Rashid from the University of Melbourne, and noted that he will deliver a speech within the framework of the congress tomorrow.
‘Neuroscience-based positive psychotherapy’ prepared
Tarhan explained that they conducted a two-year study on positive psychotherapy and identified a 12-week, 6-hour “neuroscience-based positive psychotherapy,” adding that they prepared a neurobiofeedback method regarding which region of a person’s brain can be strengthened to overcome illness.
Tarhan stated that protocols such as stress management, aggression, autism, and attention deficit have been created, and individuals are taught the skill of remaining calm under stress, thus learning to manage their own brains.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also stated that training for trainers on this subject will begin in September-October next year, and that a new option will be offered to those who want to use positive psychology in therapy, thus providing a method suitable for our own values, thought habits, and culture.
Students taking the course state that it touches their souls
Tarhan also mentioned that they developed benevolence and malevolence scales, emphasized the cultural aspect of positive psychology, and noted that students who took the first course in 2013 stated that it touched their souls.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the book "Science of Happiness," published as a supplementary textbook for 9th-grade high school students, would be useful for guidance counselors, explaining that this book, which serves as a guide for high school students to develop themselves, aims to strengthen the positive.
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: “While the world is going in many negative directions, we want to slow down the process with positive touches and contribute to its improvement.”
Within the scope of the opening speeches, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör drew attention to the university's work in this field:
“As Üsküdar University, we are happy to touch upon different subjects, approach science from various angles, and add very different touches to education. Perhaps this is our distinction. I evaluate the education we provide and the scientific activities we conduct within the scope of positive psychology in this context. While the world is going in many negative directions, we want to slow down this process a bit with positive touches and contribute to its improvement. When we decided on the positive psychology course, we had such a goal. All departments of our university have a positive psychology course. We didn't stop there; we also wanted to have a scientific event. While explaining positive psychology to our students in classrooms, we also wanted a broad scientific platform on this subject. We started at the national level and then ensured the creation of an international scientific discussion environment, which we have begun to host. We want to provide every kind of contribution we can for the progress of humanity and the world's betterment, and we will continue to do so.”
Prof. Dr. Arıboğan: “Positive psychology is a discipline that supports this understanding and helps us understand the human experience more deeply”
Vice Dean Dr. Lecturer Elif Kurtuluş Anarat delivered the opening speech on behalf of Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan, reading Prof. Dr. Arıboğan’s message:
“Due to our esteemed Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan’s participation in a conference, I would like to convey her message to you. ‘With the strength we gain from the intense interest and participation shown in our congress, we are holding the 6th International Positive Psychology Congress. As psychology departments, we would like to express our happiness in hosting this congress. Today, it is known that happiness is not just a personal goal, but also highly important in various fields, communities, and for mental health. Positive psychology is a discipline that supports this understanding and helps us understand the human experience more deeply. While we are excited to host national and international researchers who conduct important research and make significant contributions to the field of positive psychology, we believe that our congress will be further enriched by the participation of our esteemed guests.’ ”
Dr. Fatma Turan: “As the most important figures and representatives of positive psychology in Turkey, we have left our mark with our congress”
Congress General Secretary and Positive Psychology Coordinator Dr. Lecturer Fatma Turan said, “We are at a congress that will take place over two days with the valuable contributions of our esteemed professors. We are holding the 6th International Positive Psychology Congress. We have TÜBİTAK support. In this process, we have prepared an archive. As the most important figures and representatives of positive psychology in Turkey, we have left our mark with our congress. We are experiencing the joy and rightful pride of this. I would like to thank our congress organizing committee very much. I would also like to thank Research Assistant Yelda İbadi, who put in significant effort for the congress. I express my gratitude to everyone, especially our Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, for their great contribution and effort in making us experience this pride.”
Dyadic relationships discussed in the opening panel
In the opening panel moderated by Prof. Dr. Sırrı Akbaba from Üsküdar University, Prof. Dr. Azize Nilgün Canel from Marmara University delivered a speech on “The Wisdom of Self-Compassion in Therapy,” Prof. Dr. Müge Yüksel from Marmara University on “Forgiveness in Dyadic Relationships,” and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Durmuş Ümmet from Marmara University on “Psychological Resilience in Relationships.”
Conference on “The Importance of the Concept of Perseverance in Relationships”…
Dr. Lecturer Abdurrahman Kendirci from Istanbul Aydın University gave a conference on “Building Positive Relationships,” Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan on “Building Psychological Resilience Through Hope,” and Dr. Lecturer Fatma Turan on “The Importance of the Concept of Perseverance in Relationships.”
Workshop on “Positive Psychology Applications in the Field of Children and Adolescents”
Exp. Clinical Psychologist Ahmet Yılmaz conducted workshops on “Redesigning Relationships with the Positive Psychotherapy Balance Model,” Psychologist Berre Çelebi on “Accessible Mental Health,” Exp. Psychologist Çağla Tuğba Selveroğlu on “Journey to Emotions and Body with Play,” Lecturer Elif Konar Özkan on “Relationships and Social Support with Stone Tales,” Clinical Psychologist Belkıs Edige Serdengeçti and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kudret Eren Yavuz on “Life of a Positive Psychotherapist Living in the Age of Trauma: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies for Psychological Resilience,” Dr. Lecturer Remziye Keskin, Lecturer İdil Arasan Doğan on “Interpersonal Psychotherapy Approach in Dementia Caregivers: Circle Work,” Exp. Psychologist Saadet Aybeniz Yıldırım on “Positive Psychology Applications in Child and Adolescent Fields,” and Exp. Psychologist Melek Merve Erkılınç Gül on “Positive Boundaries in Relationships.”
“Guest of Honor” of the Congress, Dr. Tayyab Rashid from the University of Melbourne…
On Saturday, April 20, the “Guest of Honor” of the congress, Dr. Tayyab Rashid from the University of Melbourne, will address the topic of “Trajectories of Positive Relationships.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aliriza Arenliu from the University of Pristina will share “Rumination and Depression: Development and Pilot Implementation of Rumination-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Interventions for Outpatient Public Mental Health Services in Kosovo.”
“Modern Psychotraumatology” panel to be held
In the panel on “Modern Psychotraumatology,” Prof. Dr. Erdinç Öztürk from Istanbul University will discuss “Modern Psychotraumatology and Dissoanalysis Theory,” Dr. Psychologist Görkem Derin “Trauma-Centered Alliance Model Therapy,” Dr. Psychologist Barışhan Erdoğan “Developmental Migration,” and Lecturer Dr. Kerem Çetinkaya “Natural and Guiding Parenting Style.”
Within the scope of the congress, Prof. Dr. Rahime Nükhet Çıkrıkçı from Üsküdar University will also give a conference on “Basic Principles and Standards in the Adaptation of Psychological Tests,” and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Yavuz Güler on “Relationship Well-being: How Do I Screw It Up, How Do I Get Out Of It?”
Family to be discussed in the “Positive Psychology in Family Relationships” panel.
In the panel on “Positive Psychology in Family Relationships,” Exp. Clinical Psychologist Çiğdem Demirsoy from NPİSTANBUL Hospital will deliver a speech on “Couple Relationships in the Context of Positive Psychology and Psychotherapy,” Prof. Dr. Gül Eryılmaz on “Positive Family Relationships,” and Dr. Psychologist Z. Aslı Başabak Bhais on “Positive Parenting and Healthy Boundaries in the Family.”