The "Resilience in Challenging Life Experiences" seminar was organized in collaboration between the Human Resources Department of İbn Haldun University and the Psychotherapy Application and Research Center (İPAM) on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The seminar attracted significant attention and participation.
Held at İPAM, the event focused on presenting contemporary scientific approaches and practical solutions for building resilience and effectively coping with difficult life experiences. Experts shared their knowledge and experiences with the participants, who showed great interest in the topic.
During the seminar, Prof. Dr. Medaim Yanık, Assoc. Prof. Hasan Turan Karatepe, Assoc. Prof. Burcu Uysal, and Assoc. Prof. Şeyda Eruyar delivered comprehensive presentations related to their areas of expertise.
Assoc. Prof. Burcu Uysal started the seminar with a presentation titled "What is Trauma and What Are Its Symptoms?" by discussing the definition and effects of trauma. She shared examples from recent research to highlight the widespread nature of trauma in society. Uysal emphasized that trauma is not a rare occurrence and noted that, according to a study conducted at METU, 84% of people in Turkey have experienced at least one traumatic event. She then explained ways to overcome the negative effects of trauma and stressed the importance of psychological resilience.
Prof. Dr. Medaim Yanık presented a session titled "Childhood Trauma and Creating Positive Memories," where he discussed the ten subcategories of negative experiences during childhood and their lasting effects on individuals. Yanık drew attention to the role of parents in preventing traumatic events and provided examples from his clinical experience. He explained how creating positive memories during childhood can contribute to psychological resilience in later life and answered questions from participants.
Assoc. Prof. Şeyda Eruyar, in her presentation titled "The Grief Process: A Natural Journey," explored both normal and abnormal grief experiences and the methods that can be used to find comfort. Using the Kübler-Ross model, Eruyar described the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) and noted that the grief process can vary from person to person. She emphasized that "there is no time limit for grief; however, if this process prevents you from continuing your normal life, it is advisable to seek psychological support."
Assoc. Prof. Hasan Turan Karatepe concluded the seminar with his presentation on "Values in Psychology." Karatepe stated that "the values one holds are what keep a person standing and working towards self-development," and presented practical information that participants can apply in their daily lives. During an interactive section, Karatepe encouraged participants to focus on positive memories from the past through awareness exercises. At the end of his presentation, he summed up by stating, "Our goal in therapy is not to completely erase negative experiences, but to enable us to carry them." He emphasized the importance of focusing on what truly matters.
Interactive Q&A sessions were held after each presentation to clarify questions and address participants' concerns. The seminar proved to be a productive event aimed at increasing individual awareness and strengthening solidarity within the institution.
