Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is psychological counselling?

Psychological counselling is a process designed to help you understand yourself better and make changes in your life by increasing your self-awareness. During the counselling process, your counsellor will listen to you without judgement, offering unconditional acceptance, and behaving openly and honestly, within a framework of confidentiality, trust and respect for your personal rights, on any topic you wish to discuss, and will support you in resolving the difficulties you face.

Who can apply to the Centre for Psychological Counselling and Guidance Practice and Research?

All students enrolled in associate degree, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at Konya Technical University may apply to our centre.

 Who provides the psychological counselling service?

Psychological counselling services are provided by the psychological counsellor and psychologist employed at the centre.

 Are the services provided at the Centre for Psychological Counselling and Guidance Practice and Research subject to a fee?

All services provided at the Centre for Psychological Counselling and Guidance Practice and Research are free of charge. 

If I apply to the Centre for Psychological Counselling and Guidance Practice and Research, will my application be recorded in a file in a way that could affect my future life, and will the details of our sessions be shared with others?

Confidentiality is fundamental in the psychological counselling relationship. All information is kept confidential. Information regarding students who apply to the Centre is not recorded in their student files in any way. Consequently, it does not appear in academic records. In our Centre, the storage, destruction or sharing of information and records with others is carried out in accordance with ethical guidelines. Relevant information is only shared with the appropriate authorities if you make a statement indicating a risk of harm to yourself or another person.

Why should I tell a stranger about my problems?

The time you spend with your counsellor is entirely yours and is intended for discussing the issues that matter to you. Your friends’ and family’s comments and suggestions may be biased and prejudiced. In contrast, psychological counsellors are impartial and do not approach the matter critically. They simply strive to understand you and your situation as best as possible. This is done within the framework of confidentiality.

What kinds of issues can I seek help for at the Centre for Psychological Counselling and Guidance Practice and Research?

I am struggling to adapt to university life, I experience intense anxiety during exams, I find it difficult to express myself, I have issues with self-confidence, I feel misunderstood and hopeless, I feel I haven’t been able to enjoy life recently, my mood fluctuates frequently, I am experiencing disruptions to my sleep and eating patterns; I am having trouble managing anxiety, anger and stress; I am experiencing problems in my family and interpersonal relationships; I am withdrawing from daily activities and social settings; I am addicted; I have experienced violence and cannot shake off its effects, etc. If you are thinking along these lines, you can seek psychological counselling services.

How Does the Counselling Process Work?

At our centre, counselling services are available either face-to-face or online, depending on your preference. The counsellor or psychologist will take a keen interest in the issues you wish to discuss. They will listen to you carefully without passing judgement. They will try to help you understand your problems better so that you can resolve them more effectively. The counsellor/psychologist will discuss and work through your difficulties with you, but they cannot resolve your problems on your behalf. Because the only person who can do that is you. The counsellor/psychologist does not possess magical powers.

Are online sessions as effective as face-to-face sessions?

Provided the right environment and conditions are in place, online sessions can be just as effective as face-to-face sessions. If you can ensure an environment where your privacy is protected, you won’t be overheard, and you won’t be interrupted, the counselling will be more beneficial.

A psychological counsellor provides you with a safe space to better understand yourself, begin to resolve your issues, and develop the necessary skills.

If deemed necessary for your benefit, they may refer you to other specialists.

What does your counsellor do?

At the start of the counselling process, they listen to you, carry out the necessary assessments, and begin working with you within the framework of confidentiality and a professional relationship, in line with the goals you have set together.

A psychological counsellor is someone who helps you understand yourself and your problem better, thereby enabling you to resolve your issue more effectively. They do not solve your problems for you, nor do they give you advice on how you should live your life. This is because only you can best understand the details of the processes and challenges in your life, and only you can decide on the most appropriate solution and put that decision into practice.

They listen to you carefully without judging you objectively.

They listen to you with genuine interest and ask questions to get to know you better.

They strive to be unbiased and sensitive towards your beliefs, values and thoughts.

How can I apply to the Centre for Psychological Counselling and Guidance Practice and Research?

Simply fill in the forms provided under the ‘Appointment’ tab on the Konya Technical University Centre for Psychological Counselling and Guidance Practice and Research website and send them to pdr@ktun.edu.tr

When will my appointment be booked?

Following your application, you will be contacted and your appointment will be booked. If individual sessions are fully booked, clients will be placed on a waiting list. In urgent cases, provided the client specifically indicates this, alternative arrangements may be made instead of placing them on the waiting list. If the urgent request is deemed inappropriate, the client’s application will be placed on the waiting list as per standard procedure. Indicating as many available dates and times as possible in the section at the end of the application form where you are asked for your preferred days and times will speed up the appointment process.

I’ve submitted an application but haven’t received a reply yet; what should I do?

Your individual applications are being reviewed by our specialists, and we respond to them in order of priority (urgency). To enquire about the status of your application, please send an email to pdr@ktun.edu.tr

 How long do the sessions last?

Sessions last approximately 50 minutes. Arriving late for your appointment means your session time will be shortened. If you are more than 15 minutes late for a session, you will lose one session entitlement, but a new appointment will be arranged for a different day and time.

How long do the sessions last?

The psychological counselling process is tailored to each student’s individual needs and therefore varies. The timing, frequency and duration of the sessions are decided in consultation with the student. Counselling sessions may take place once a week or once a month, depending on the student’s needs.

What should I do if I need to postpone or cancel a session?

It is important to attend sessions regularly to ensure the effectiveness of the psychological counselling process. However, if you are unable to attend a session, you must notify us by emailing pdr@ktun.edu.tr at least 24 hours in advance. In the event that you are unable to attend your appointment due to an emergency or other urgent circumstances, it is important that you send an informative email to pdr@ktun.edu.tr as soon as possible afterwards.

What is an initial consultation?

The purpose of the initial consultation is to work with you to determine the most appropriate support available. During this session, your counsellor will provide you with more detailed information about the counselling process and will ask you about the issue you wish to seek help with. During this session, you will also have the opportunity to ask your counsellor any questions you may have about the issue you wish to seek help with and the counselling process, and thus to form your own assessment.

Are psychological tests used?

Where necessary during the counselling process, various psychological tests are used to gain a better understanding of the client.

What is a referral?

The diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of mental health conditions are carried out by psychiatrists. Your mental health professional may refer you for mood disorders (depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, suicidal ideation), anxiety disorders (specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalised anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, selective mutism), obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, hoarding disorder, trichotillomania, skin-picking disorder), trauma and related disorders (post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder), dissociative disorders and somatic symptom disorders, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders,  eating disorders, sexual disorders, substance use disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, neurocognitive disorders and personality disorders – the GP may refer you to the psychiatry outpatient clinic for these conditions, which fall within the scope of a psychiatrist’s diagnostic and treatment authority. Your psychiatrist will plan the treatment most appropriate for your mental health. 

SEEKING PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELLING DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE WEAK-WILLED OR POWERLESS. ON THE CONTRARY, FACING UP TO PROBLEMS CAN BE CHALLENGING AND REQUIRES COURAGE.