Psychologists help build the unseen balance in mental health

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press
ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE — Clinical Psychologist Özgenur Taşkın said psychologists play a key role in protecting mental health, strengthening resilience and helping people build a more functional life.

Speaking as part of May 10 Psychologists Day, Taşkın, a clinical psychologist at Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital, said psychological support should not be viewed only as a service people seek during crises. She said psychologists help individuals understand their thoughts, emotions and behaviors through scientific methods, while also supporting self-awareness, emotional balance and quality of life.

Mental health is part of overall health

Taşkın said health should not be understood only as physical well-being. Mental, emotional and social factors are also part of a person’s overall health, she said.

According to Taşkın, psychologists work in an area that is often less visible than physical symptoms but can strongly shape daily life, relationships, work performance and coping skills. Stress, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, relationship conflicts and difficulty making decisions can all affect a person’s general well-being.

“Psychologists work exactly in this unseen but decisive part of the whole,” Taşkın said.

She noted that psychological support can help people recognize emotional patterns, understand recurring difficulties and develop healthier ways of responding to life events. In this sense, psychology is not limited to treating a problem after it appears; it also has a preventive and strengthening role.

Psychologists do more than solve problems

Taşkın said one common misconception is that psychologists only “solve problems.” She said the role is broader and includes helping people discover their inner resources and build a more functional life.

“The main role of the psychologist is to evaluate a person’s thought, emotion and behavior processes through scientific methods, to protect and improve mental health, and to restructure it when it is impaired,” Taşkın said.

She said psychologists do not simply offer quick advice or ready-made answers. Instead, they work with the active participation of the client and use structured, evidence-based methods. The process can help individuals recognize strengths, understand areas of difficulty and make more conscious decisions about their lives.

Taşkın said psychological support may be useful not only for people experiencing intense distress, but also for those who want to know themselves better, strengthen their relationships or improve their quality of life.

Teamwork improves treatment effectiveness

Taşkın said the field of mental health naturally requires a multidisciplinary approach. Psychiatrists, psychologists and other health professionals may work together depending on the needs of the individual.

She explained that psychiatrists carry out medical assessments and, when necessary, pharmacological treatment. Psychologists, meanwhile, are responsible for psychotherapy and psychological assessment processes. In some cases, physicians, social workers, physiotherapists and other professionals may also be involved.

“This teamwork directly increases the effectiveness of treatment,” Taşkın said.

She added that a collaborative approach is especially important when mental health problems are connected with physical illness, family difficulties, work-related stress or social conditions. In such cases, different professionals can help create a more complete picture of the person’s needs.

Assessment creates a personal roadmap

Taşkın said psychological assessment is a systematic process that may include clinical interviews, observation and scientifically validated tests. The aim, she said, is not only to make a diagnosis.

“The goal is not only to diagnose, but to understand the individual’s strengths, areas of difficulty and needs,” Taşkın said.

She said this process forms the basis of a personal roadmap. By understanding what the person is experiencing, what triggers the difficulty and what resources are available, psychologists can help develop a more suitable support plan.

According to Taşkın, this also means focusing on the person’s strengths, not only symptoms. Psychological support can therefore contribute to greater self-awareness, emotional regulation and psychological resilience.

Seeing a psychologist is not a last resort

Taşkın said many people still believe they need to have a “very serious problem” before seeing a psychologist. She said this view prevents people from seeking support early.

“Seeing a psychologist is not a ‘last resort’; it is a process of awareness and investment in oneself,” Taşkın said.

She said people may seek psychological support during difficult periods, but they may also do so to improve relationships, understand themselves better, strengthen coping skills or enhance life satisfaction. Early support can help prevent problems from becoming more complex.

Taşkın also addressed common misconceptions about psychologists. One of them, she said, is the belief that psychologists “read minds” or simply give advice. In reality, psychologists work with scientific methods and require the active involvement of the client.

Another misconception is that seeing a psychologist is a sign of weakness. Taşkın said the opposite is true: asking for support can show that a person is taking responsibility for their own well-being.

Psychological support can help recovery

Taşkın said stress, anxiety, depression and burnout are becoming more common in daily life. She also noted that people living with chronic diseases may experience an increased psychological burden.

In this context, psychologists can play both preventive and healing roles, she said. By helping people manage stress, adapt to treatment and strengthen coping skills, psychological support may also contribute to the sustainability of the health system.

Taşkın said a person’s psychological state can directly influence physical recovery. Anxiety and depression may reduce treatment adherence, while stress may weaken the immune system, she said.

“We see that psychological support increases treatment adherence, improves quality of life and helps the recovery process move forward in a healthier way,” Taşkın said.

She described psychologists as professionals who help individuals make sense of their inner world, establish mental balance and support general health through that balance.

Taşkın said mental health should not be postponed or treated as secondary. Recognizing the need for support, she added, is not a sign of weakness but the first step toward psychological resilience.

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