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Istanbul Medeniyet University has signed a significant cooperation agreement aimed at supporting the psychosocial development of children under protection and care. Under the cooperation protocol signed between the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, Istanbul Medeniyet University, and the Sheikh Zayed Child Protection Foundation, educational, supervisory, and scientific research activities will be conducted in the field of child and adolescent mental health.

Under the protocol, which will remain in effect for two years, our University will provide theoretical training and supervision services to psychologists working at the Eyüp Child and Adolescent Counseling Center, which operates under the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services. The Sheikh Zayed Child Protection Foundation will provide financial and logistical support for the implementation of these programs.

The training activities to be carried out under the protocol aim to convey up-to-date theoretical knowledge regarding child and adolescent psychotherapy, while the supervision sessions aim to strengthen the psychologists’ professional practices with expert support. Additionally, scientific research to be conducted in the field of child and adolescent psychotherapy is intended to be carried out in accordance with ethical principles, data security, and the best interests of the children.

This initiative serves as a pilot program developed by the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services. As part of the project, our University will provide academic and clinical support to the process through its academic expertise and clinical experience in the field of child and adolescent mental health. Based on the results obtained from the pilot program, the initiative will be evaluated, and if deemed successful, it is intended to be expanded to relevant centers throughout Istanbul.

Supervision sessions will be conducted in person at the Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Disorders at Istanbul Medeniyet University’s Göztepe Prof. Dr. Süleyman Yalçın City Hospital; theoretical training sessions will be held at our University’s relevant campuses. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate from the Istanbul Medeniyet University Continuing Education Center (İMÜSEM).

Through this collaboration, our university will share its academic knowledge and expertise for the benefit of society, contribute to the professional development of specialists working in the field of child and adolescent mental health, and support children’s access to higher-quality psychosocial support services.