Imdad Alizadeh, a professional psychologist who has also been working in journalism for many years, has started conducting psychologist consultations. He announced this on social media. On September 17, Imdad Alizadeh answered questions on this matter from the website Medianews.az.
- Journalists, like psychologists, are constantly looking for something interesting and new and communicate with society. Your decision seemed rather sudden...
- I graduated from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Psychology at Baku State University, majoring in psychology. As they say, I have a three-tier academic education in this field - bachelor’s, master's, and doctoral studies. In my master's and doctoral studies, I specialized in forensic psychology, which is the most important and interesting area of psychology. This field covers both psychology and law.
I have been working as a journalist since my first year at university – for 27 years. Although journalism is a field that I love very much, feel sincerely attached to, feel comfortable in, and can affirm myself in, from time to time I have sought opportunities to return to the profession I trained for. It’s true, I had many chances, but I have still remained in journalism.
Recently some incidents happened at the agency where I work; since our interview is not about that topic, I do not want to talk about it extensively. It’s true I did not take this step solely because of that, but the recent events have also influenced my decision to some extent.
- How should we understand your answer: that you are finally realizing your wishes in psychology and saying goodbye to journalism?..
- During my time as a journalist, I have never completely distanced myself from psychology; I have continued my education and occasionally worked as a practicing psychologist. I have followed the situation in this area with pain because there are serious problems in Azerbaijan both in people's referral to psychologists and psychological services as well as in the activities of some "psychologists." Because of those who call themselves psychologists but are engaged in everything except real, proper psychological service, psychological services in Azerbaijan are losing prestige and are discredited; distrust of psychologists is growing. Although this field does not have a very long history in our country, psychological services have mainly developed and expanded after the restoration of our state independence. It is unacceptable to allow the prestige of psychology, psychological services, and the important profession of psychologist to be diminished; this must be prevented.
As for saying goodbye to journalism, that will not happen. At least I hope so. For some time, I plan to work in both fields. How it will be in the future, time will tell.
- What has been the initial reaction of your journalist friends to you starting practical psychologist work?
- Very interesting. I have received hundreds of messages. Friends write and call. All this makes me happy and shows that my life’s work has not been in vain. Some friends believe that I am leaving journalism once and for all. They neither want to believe this nor wants me to leave; they wish me to stay in the field and even offer job opportunities. I inform them about the real situation.
Some friends support and applaud this decision, which frankly surprises me. At the same time, many friends, including the Medianews.az news portal team and other media colleagues, have expressed their readiness to provide informational support for my activities as a practicing psychologist, have written news about it, and have conducted interviews. I thank the media friends including the team at Medianews.az.
- Artificial intelligence is rapidly developing, and some predict that it will eliminate certain professions in the future. Can artificial intelligence eliminate the psychologist profession or, let’s say, practically replace psychologists giving psychological advice?
- Artificial intelligence is rapidly penetrating all areas of our lives, and this is becoming continuous. As you noted, it is expected that artificial intelligence will eliminate some professions. Already in some fields, artificial intelligence has begun to replace humans. For example, guides at airports.
But I do not believe artificial intelligence will replace psychologists on a wide scale in the psychological services field, nor do I expect it. Because the mental-psychological state, mood, and worries of a person can be understood more deeply not only from what they say, the questions they ask, and the answers we receive but also by looking into their eyes and observing their behavior. Artificial intelligence will not be able to do this. I am sure there will be people suffering from AI someday who will also need psychological support and turn to practical psychologists. Matters related to emotions and feelings can only be understood by a person who can empathize and find a cure.
- Most psychologists avoid conducting sessions with close people, some completely refuse it. What will your response be to journalist friends who want to come to your consultation?
- A good question. Two factors must be considered in making a decision. This mainly concerns professionalism and ethical rules. There must be a kind of neutral and reliable relationship between the psychologist and the patient so that the person can comfortably talk about their problems, explain their troubles, and open their heart. Such neutrality may be disturbed among friends, acquaintances, and relatives because private life secrets come into play. Experience shows that patients cannot be completely free with psychologist friends or relatives. Because they fear that their personal secrets may be known and spread. All of us have relatives and mutual friends. The fear that relatives might find out, neighbors might hear, or friends might know does not allow the patient to be free and sincere. This could reduce the objectivity and effectiveness of psychological support.
Therefore, if any of our journalist friends needs psychological support, I will refer them to another specialist whose qualifications and intelligence I know well. This is the initial psychological help I can give to my friends at that moment.
- We believe that your work as a practicing psychologist will be no less successful than your achievements in journalism. Do you have any words of comfort for society?
- A psychologist’s success lies in the right approach, communication, and being able to reach the deepest layer of the problem and even discovering sides unknown to the patient himself. Our main weapon in this is words. We can help the patient with words. Therefore, people should believe and trust the psychologist’s words. Of course, this concerns the words of professionals. Sometimes you see a person say, "I went to the psychologist but saw no positive effect." I ask, "Did you follow what the psychologist told you?" The answer is "no." Do you know what this is like? We go to a doctor, who prescribes medication after examination. Right after leaving the room, we tear up the prescription. Ten days later, we return to the doctor and say the treatment had no effect and my illness has worsened... The psychologist’s ideas must be taken seriously, and his advice must be followed. I will try to achieve this.
Toğrul Ali,
Medianews.az
