Sign language has now become mandatory in many professional fields. For psychologists, who hold a very important place in human psychology and mental health, it is crucial to learn sign language and remove barriers to provide better service to hearing-impaired children or adults. In this context, Psychologist Berre Çelebi, with whom we spoke, emphasizes that there should not be a curtain, an extra language barrier, in therapy. She underlines that conducting the process with a therapist who is not familiar with deaf culture can be very difficult. Çelebi points out that merely knowing sign language is not enough; mastery of the culture is also important… Ebranur Özdemir from Üsküdar News Agency spoke with Psk. Berre Çelebi, who works in the Education and Guidance Services unit of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Corporate Communications Department and conducts studies in the field of sign language, about the importance of sign language in the psychological support service process.
My interest in sign language began with my self-discovery process…
First, we'd like to get to know you. Can you tell us about your journey from your undergraduate education to today?
I am a psychology graduate. During my undergraduate studies, I received training both in my field and in sign language. I have continued to develop myself to this day, and I still am. In fact, my adventure with sign language started this way, with my self-discovery process. When I was at university, I went through therapy and realized how important emotional expression is. I then understood how difficult it is for someone to express their feelings to someone who doesn't speak their language without talking, and decided to start this process. I'm still continuing.
There's a huge shortage in the field!
You've partially shared your story of starting sign language education; what level are you currently at in sign language training?
When I was at university, I received basic level training from İSMEK. After graduating, we have our lecturer, translator, and instructor, Ceren Ay. She gave us basic level training last year. I am currently receiving advanced level training from her. Our meeting with Ceren Ay teacher was through Gökben Hızlısayar teacher. She pioneered this. Gökben teacher contacted Ceren teacher, asking, ‘There is a great shortage in the field; can we train psychologists?’ That's how I met her.
The field isn't even aware of this…
How do you evaluate the interest of psychologists and psychology candidates in this field?
They're not even aware. Let me tell you, I have an Instagram account. After I posted something there, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan noticed me. He also supported it by sharing my post. When I shared that post, I received feedback from many of my colleagues saying, ‘Oh, yes. There was a shortage in the field, I wasn't even aware.’ In fact, when I gave a presentation about individuals with disabilities at university, my professor, who has been working as a clinician and academician in the field for many years, said, ‘I've never thought about anything like this.’ So, unfortunately, it's not a priority for people.
The principle of privacy is compromised with a 3rd person…
So, how do individuals with hearing or speech impairments receive counseling services today?
They receive it with a translator. One of our fundamental principles is privacy, and when you enter a room with a translator, that principle of privacy is compromised. We become three people in the room. Since the deaf community is very close-knit, they know the translators, they know each other, so probably that deaf or hearing-impaired individual knows that translator. You wouldn't want to talk to someone you know or are likely to know in the presence of a therapist. Unfortunately, this is how it works right now.
There shouldn't be a curtain, an extra language barrier…
Individuals with hearing or other disabilities need translators to integrate with society. You are right that when they enter therapy with a translator, the person will inevitably hold back due to concerns about privacy violation. So, this situation will also negatively affect the treatment process; what can you say about this?
This is something we absolutely do not want. That's why we're striving. Of course, let them go in with a translator if they have to, but this is something we don't want. There should be two people in that room. There shouldn't be a curtain, an extra language barrier, because deaf culture, deaf language, that sign language, is distinct from Turkish. For example, deaf individuals struggle to perceive abstract concepts or understand certain idioms and proverbs. Now, conducting this process with a therapist who doesn't know this and isn't familiar with deaf culture is very difficult. It's not just about knowing sign language; mastery of the culture is also important.
Are there any psychologists or psychiatrists in Turkey who know the culture and sign language you mentioned?
In Turkey, I believe there is one psychiatrist and two psychologist instructors. In fact, there was a thesis study about this which I also read. It was a research on anger and aggression impulses, on the best possible topic, and much effort was put into it, but as I said, the numbers are very low. The number of therapists is very low. There are only two people in all of Turkey. Research and literature in this area are very weak.
They have concerns about not being understood in every aspect of life…
Due to this, there must be a large number of people with hearing and speech impairments who do not receive psychological counseling or guidance services, or believe they cannot, because they cannot express themselves… Are there individuals who do not go, who withdraw themselves out of concern that 'they won't understand me?'
Yes, I mean, it's not just about receiving psychological support; imagine a deaf or hearing-impaired individual having a problem when going to the grocery store or a hospital, or even if there's no problem, needing to ask a question to meet a need, and there's someone in front of them who doesn't know their language. This group actually has a perception and concern about not being understood in every aspect of life. They have a concern, so they were very eager about this. That is, they were very happy to see someone striving for this. They didn't hesitate to ask questions, didn't hesitate to ask if there would be a continuation, but oh, if only there were more people working in this field…
There must be platforms where you meet with individuals with hearing, auditory, and speech impairments… What is your observation?
Yes, there are... Last year, our instructor Ceren established a platform. The platform for young sign language translators in Turkey. Through the platform, we even provided training to two psychologists within a project on HIV. To ensure accessibility for hearing-impaired individuals, we conducted webinar studies and prepared videos as part of a project that was as accessible as possible not only to hearing-impaired individuals but also to visually impaired individuals. I also spoke with and directly communicated with people in this field.
How is the relationship of individuals with hearing or other impairments with technology during this process?
As far as I know, they are open. Since social media accounts are visual, they are very present on social media. As far as I know, however, accessibility is a bit of a problem. For example, if they want to watch a video on social media, there are no subtitles or no interpreter. Some segments already have problems with reading, so subtitles may not be sufficient for some. Therefore, they use social media more among themselves. They use technology.
This has a grammar. It cannot be done haphazardly.
Is there an application that makes communication easier for people with disabilities?
They don't use some applications when they see incorrect signs. As far as I remember, there was a project before… It was actually very good, but because the project wasn't done for a deaf translator, they couldn't internalize and accept it. This has a grammar, it's a language from top to bottom... It cannot be done haphazardly. It's not acceptable for them.
Artificial intelligence makes people's lives easier in many areas of life. Can psychological support be provided through an application? Do you think it would meet the need?
I don't think it will be possible for now, because, for example, in undergraduate studies, we used to talk about hearing individuals. Studies with artificial intelligence are being planned. Do you think someone can have therapy with a psychologist generated by artificial intelligence? How beneficial would this be for them? It also knows sign language. Yes, in this case. First, in the communication of hearing individuals, some said it would work, some said it wouldn't… Because this is person-to-person communication; it's not something that will happen only through talking or only through knowing techniques. If we assume it's with a hearing person, meaning it knows sign language, it comes to the same point. Some will say, ‘It would be great,’ some will say, ‘There will be some problems and it won't be very beneficial.’ So, probably there will be differing opinions on this.
Unfortunately, no one explained this to me at that time…
It seems that increasing the number of psychologists who know sign language, like you, is of undeniable importance. What are your suggestions for this, what needs to be done?
When I think about this, I believe there should be fundamental education. Universities offer education, but it's given as an elective course. So, this should actually be mandatory or taught in a different way. If I were a therapist with five or ten years of experience, I would probably have difficulty entering this field later. Because you are learning a new language from scratch and you have to learn it as well as possible. Naturally, it would probably be very difficult for me to enter this field, both in terms of motivation to enter and motivation to continue. But if we show this deficiency in the field to a university student, it would be easier to say, ‘Yes, I should start in this field now so I can learn the language early and establish my goal.’ I think it should start at a very fundamental level. That is, it is necessary to explain to students at university that this is a deficiency. Because no one explained this to me until now. I wish they had, but unfortunately, they didn't…
Not a help-based, but a rights-based approach…
Can we say that sign language is an indispensable necessity for psychologists who will pursue their profession and career professionally? Can we say this for every psychologist?
For those who are willing to continue this work, because this is not a passing fad. It's not something you can just pass on and not continue. This is a language. I believe it's something a psychologist, who needs to develop themselves every minute, would want to do. So, if a psychologist just wants to conduct one-on-one sessions, get their money, and settle down, they won't need this. There's a misunderstanding about working on a help-based approach... We don't work on a help-based approach. What our instructor Ceren always tells us is a rights-based approach. That is, if mental health is a right, then access to mental health is also a right. She tells me to set out with this understanding. And I am setting out with this understanding. This is something I've been thinking about since last year: how can we work? We have different schools of thought, different areas of work. How can it be integrated? I'm meeting with my instructors, I have doctor instructors, instructors from different schools. Honestly, I'm constantly thinking about this and will continue to do so. How can integration be done in every school of thought training I receive? How can techniques be integrated into Turkish Sign Language? I'm thinking about these. As I said, in the future, while developing myself academically, I also want to work in this field. To comply with the principle of contributing to the field.
The deficiency in this field is everyone's wound…
Do you have a dream of pursuing a PhD or professorship? Where does your sign language goal fit into this?
I want to serve as many people as possible. The deficiency in this field is everyone's wound. Education is not accessible. Therefore, I want to strive as far as I can. This has been my goal since university. One of my aims is also to create awareness in the field with sign language. When I shared this video, I received feedback from psychologists, and also from different fields. For example, a physiotherapist wrote; ‘We also have a shortage in our field.’ and shared it, which is very important. I hope that people from not only psychology but also from different fields will notice this and take the initiative to work in this area.
Sign language is a special field. It's actually a living process, like all languages… Therefore, I think it needs to be constantly updated… Just as there is professional English, is there professional jargon in sign language? Are there points in the field of psychology where you cannot find an equivalent or get stuck? In short, is there advanced training in this field?
While we are currently receiving advanced training from instructor Ceren, we are receiving training in psychology literature. For example, when instructor Ceren trains lawyers in the field of law, she also teaches them the literature in that sense. It is included at an advanced level.
To give an example from my own training process, the instructor collaborates with us, for instance, asking which schools of thought we work with, which techniques we apply, which words we use, which assessment scale we will use at specific points, how we will ask questions to the client. She continues her own readings while also collaborating with us in this sense. Why not? Why shouldn't another translator be proficient in the literature of a different field while providing training in it.
Can you provide information about the work you conduct at Üsküdar Üniversitesi?
I am currently working in the Education Institutions and Guidance Services unit of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Corporate Communications Department. Since I am currently a member of the 'Haydi Tut Elimi' Association, I am continuing with that association. We will undertake projects with instructor Nebiye. Currently, I have a study that I am conducting with a psychologist friend, for which we made a demo and used two experimental groups. We are planning to convert it into a project and publish it as a European Union project with Dr. Nebiye Yaşar. We are planning many other projects with instructor Nebiye. We are also planning studies with Dr. Fatma Turan.
What is explained in the video:
"Hello, I am Berre Çelebi. I am a psychologist.
Today, I want to talk about an important topic for you.
I want to start with an example. For instance, speaking individuals can easily communicate and explain their problems to a psychologist when they experience a psychological problem.
However, when a deaf person experiences a psychological problem and goes to a psychologist, the psychologist unfortunately does not understand them when they explain their problems using sign language.
The reason for this is that the psychologist does not know sign language.
Therefore, deaf people cannot go to a psychologist when they experience psychological problems.
That's why I learned sign language to eliminate this problem.
From now on, I want to prepare and share short videos on psychology for you."