**Interview with Sinem Durusal, PhD, Specialist Psychologist**

We conducted an engaging interview with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Sinem Durusal on the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on human psychology and how we can navigate this period psychologically.

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Sinem Durusal, could you first tell our readers about yourself and your professional background?

I must admit I struggle with self-introduction, but let me try to give a brief overview. I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology, a master's programme in clinical psychology, and subsequently finished my doctoral studies in London. In short, I can say I have been working as a mental health professional for approximately 14 years.

Our world and our country are engaged in a serious battle with the coronavirus pandemic. As an expert, how do you evaluate the psychology of individuals experiencing this period closely?

First, being a mental health specialist does not mean I am free from anxiety independent of society as a whole. We are all facing an unknown situation. Above all, we harbour various concerns about ourselves and our loved ones. It is frankly impossible to normalise this situation. Perhaps many of us or our loved ones are battling the illness. Therefore, experiencing anxiety in this situation presents itself as a positive emotion in order to take precautions, because if we do not worry, we cannot take measures, we do not take the situation seriously, and we cannot protect ourselves.

We have taken many precautions during the pandemic. However, this pandemic also has a significant impact on our psychology. What advice would you give to our readers during this period?

As I mentioned earlier, anxiety is a very normal and useful emotion in such situations, but what is actually more important is the level of this anxiety. That is, being anxious enough to take precautions but also keeping it limited enough to avoid panic, because panic can lead us to psychological problems rather than to taking precautions.

The coronavirus pandemic has created space for certain psychological problems or triggered existing ones. Within this framework, could you share with our readers the advice you give to your clients?

Of course, we are actually working to manage our anxiety, or rather to bring it to the level it should be at. Perhaps if I share some suggestions on this, it would be more beneficial for your valued readers. One of the most important matters here is to remain grounded in reality, that is, to protect ourselves against information pollution. During such times, people tend to see the bad and deny the good. This causes us to lose our perception of reality and produce catastrophic scenarios. By maintaining a correct perspective and taking precautions, we will protect ourselves both from the virus and from its possible psychological effects.  

How do you evaluate the child-parent relationship, especially with family members being at home? What advice would you like to give parents during this period?

We can actually turn this period into an opportunity. In the daily rush of life, we cannot devote enough time to our children or our parents. Especially metropolitan life is exhausting and complex. This period is a wonderful opportunity, particularly for parent-child interaction. How we use it is entirely in our hands. Yes, we are in contact with each other quite often, but it should not be forgotten that it is also in our hands to create spaces within the same home where we and our children can spend time alone. We do not have to do everything together, but managing this period effectively actually strengthens already solid relationships. Here, some people may become distressed because they are overexposed to a life they do not wish to sustain. For example, if there is an unhappy marriage, it can also lead to its end. But in fact, for those actually trying to manage it, understanding that it is a life that will eventually end anyway is still meaningful.

With social responsibility awareness during the period we are staying at home, how are you continuing your current routine with your clients?

Currently we are proceeding with online psychotherapy by utilising technology. However, we are not taking on new cases during this period. Because especially with individuals we cannot meet in person, it is very difficult for us to be helpful, and ethically it would be wrong.

Finally, is there any information you would like to add?

I thank you very much for bringing me together with your valued readers. Wishing we meet again in healthy times. If you will allow me, I would like to end with a saying I always mention. Never let the child within you slip from your grasp. With love… Prepared by: Çağla Köksal