It seems like the last couple of years in Turkey have been characterized by a series of devastating disruptions followed by attempts for adaptation and healing, only to be ensued by yet another crisis. Along with the rest of the country, we, as the community of relational psychologists, have been struggling to navigate our way through the long-term effects of the pandemic, terrorist attacks, political tyranny, a severe economic crisis, and finally, the horrendous impacts of the earthquake on February 6th, which not only destroyed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, but lead the whole nation to a state of despair and dread.
Of course, it is part of human nature to keep on living, and furthermore, to try to create pockets of hope, connection and healing in the midst of pain. We have been doing just that in our small community at the Center for Psychodynamic Therapies: We have tried to be sources of support not only to our patients but to one another and find small ways to have an impact on the larger community, such as providing supervision to psychologists working in the field with earthquake survivors.
In the meantime, we continue to hold a solid presence in the field, with our fifth year of full enrollment in the two yearlong training programs: An introductory course in psychoanalysis, with an emphasis on contemporary relational thought, open to anyone in the mental health field; and an advanced course for clinical psychologists, with an emphasis on the recent contemporary literature on relational psychoanalysis. It feels important to add that the classes in this current training year have not only been about learning and case discussions, but also places to process what it means to be relational psychologists in this current climate, where both patient and therapist hold shared traumas and try to create a space of healing together.
To end on a hopeful note, some of us plan to attend the IARPP conference in June, as we start envisioning a future with more connection with the rest of the IARPP community and increased IARPP membership and activity in Turkey.
Berrak Karahoda and Mia Medina
Berrak Karahoda, Ph.D.
Istanbul
Email Berrak Karahoda
Mia Medina, Psy.D.
Istanbul
Email Mia Medina