INTERVIEW WITH PSYCHOTHERAPIST YAQEEN SIQANDER BY FAHEEM UL ISLAM ON THE SETS OF SHAREDPEN OFFICIAL
Interviewer (Faheem ul Islam): How would you introduce yourself to the audience out there?
Interviewee: My name is Yaqeen sikander and i am from Srinagar. I have done my masters degree on
scholarship basis in clinical psychology from MARMARA UNIVERSITY and practiced as well.
I have been to more than 35 countries including Germany, Malaysia, India to deliver lectures, conduct workshops
and trainings and to boost individual and organisational success and well-being. Currently i am persuing
a doctoral degree from IBN HALDUN UNIVERSITY, Istanbul.
2) There is a lack of exposure in Kashmir and as a kashmiri, how do you find the opportunity of
learning in Turkey? Was it accidental or intentional?
Ans: Back in 2010, I went to Islamic International University in Malaysia for my Bachelor’s in Psychology (
Honors). I read alot of books there. At that time, nothing was available online except the selection list regarding any competitive exam. I had an immense passion to study abroad. I would say it was hardwork and yes, bit of luck as well that i made it to Turkey. I had made my mind in my teenage and gradually
things got easier with every next step. It is rightly said, “where there is a will, there is a way”.
3) Mankind is immersed in Capabilities. To have a particular talent is a necessity but to put the efforts
in right direction is important as well. So how do you see the role of a mentor in the life of a learner?
Ans: Teacher is the one who augments in knowledge and mentor is the one, who augments in experience. Kashmiri people are multi-talented but they lack the importance of time. The cultural
mechanism of Kashmir is now changing or becoming more prone to finance. I am working with lot of companies as an Executive-Coach , in order to promote the well being of their employees. In abroad, i have felt the difference that they consider mental health as important as money. I believe nothing would be productive until and unless there will be a productive mentorship who will shape the potentialof a learner into a perfect edifice.
4) What are the challenges you faced abroad being a kashmiri? What are the things you contemplate
we lack in Kashmir after having exposure to the outer world?
Ans: The biggest challenge i met with myself was the need to overcome the victim mindset that is
attached to the Kashmiri Muslim and other is to overcome the expectation we cling towards others. I find learning turkish language difficult but slowly and gradually i turned no stone left to learn it. People in Kashmir don’t want to come out of their comfort zone. Here, i feel is a compulsion that Kashmiris need to open the horizons of the mind and think out of the box .
5) There are lot of things which one needs to deconstruct with the passage of time. What do you feel
the scope towards any stream matters or the interest of a person regarding the subject?
Ans: Interest takes presidence over other things. Scope is parallel to one’s capabilities or hardwork and
not in any stream or particular subject.
6) As you are living in Turkey and simultaneously you are a content creator and the medium is
kashmiri language. What was the motive of this change?
Ans: It was covid-19 and I had a motive to reach my people at grassroot level. As a kashmiri, i wanted to
assist my people, so i thought kashmiri language would work wonders and it did. It made an impact by
its reach.
7) There are people who encounter ” I am in depression, i have anxiety ” . Could you please throw light on the context?
Ans: These words can be used in two ways:
(I) semantically context way – It could be related to the feeling low based on factors such as previous
depression diagnosis, indications of ongoing therapy and indicators of negative emotional state and
feelings.
(ii) Escalation way: A constant sense of hopelessness and despair is a major sign of depression and is
related to clinical psychological way. If one feels a change in daily functional life, one needs help. Depression envelops our daily routine in suicidal thoughts, long term guilt, irrational behaviour and
more.
8) As a psychotherapist you conduct number of sessions. What are the therapies and remedies you
recommend for the problems one encounter in their personal and professional career?
Ans: Kashmiri people are more prone to depression and the necessity of mental education is the need of
an hour.
To maintain proper mental health, one needs to maintain their daily routine. To work out and take
healthy food is the creme . Apart this, to maintain lifestyle changes is essential as well.
9) What are the requirements like skills, qualification and other things for the students who want to
pursue their education in Turkey after their matriculation.
Ans: Turkish scholarships are open. A candidate should have grabbed 70% in their board or university
exams. One should be clear with the subject or stream, they want to study. They could work hard to qualify SAT exams as well. It is important to have SOP’s, academic references and English language in
addition to be eligible for scholarships.
10) What would be your final message to youth, viewers and listeners?
Ans: I would always suggest to people out there that make sure “Contribute more and expect less”.
Make investments into yourself by improving your knowledge, learning, skills, confidence, patience etc.
Be good in the field you practice . Don’t give up early. Take responsibility and surely you will achieve
much.
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