Psychologist (MSc) · children and adolescents
Zeynep Aydın
I studied psychology at Ege University and did my master’s in developmental psychology. I have worked with children, teenagers and families since 2014, and in the Karşıyaka playroom since 2019.
Children don’t tell their problems in sentences, they show them in play. My job is to watch that play without hurrying.
I came to psychology through developmental psychology. For my master’s thesis I watched preschool children play for months and learned something then: a four-year-old does not say “I’m anxious”; they hide their teddy bear in the same place every day.
Today I use that language with the children who come to the room. The sand tray, figures, puppets, paint and blocks are ways for a child to tell their story while feeling safe. With teenagers it is mostly conversation, sometimes a sketchbook, sometimes a song.
Working with parents is half of the job. Most of a child’s day is spent at home and at school, so I hold regular parent meetings and, when needed and with the family’s consent, talk to the school.
How do I work?
Parents first
I listen to you before I meet your child. You know their story best.
At the pace of play
I don’t push a child to talk; I follow what they bring into play.
Clear boundaries
We agree at the start what I will share with you. With teens, confidentiality and its limit are set in the first meeting.
Referral when needed
When diagnosis or medication is needed I refer you to child and adolescent psychiatry and work alongside them.
Education timeline
- 2008–2012 BSc Psychology Ege University
- 2012–2015 MSc Developmental Psychology Hacettepe University Thesis: Symbolic play and emotion regulation in the preschool years
- 2016 Child-Centred Play Therapy training Applied training + supervision
- 2017 Denver II Developmental Screening Test practitioner training
- 2018 Cognitive behavioural therapy with children and adolescents
- 2020 Sandtray therapy foundation training
- 2022 Child-parent relationship therapy training
Education Certificates and trainings
Professional memberships
- Turkish Psychological Associationİzmir branch · 2012’den beri
- Association for Play Therapy (APT)International member · 2017’den beri
Publications and talks
- “Separation anxiety in preschool: practical tips for parents”Parent newsletter of a private school in İzmir · 2023
- Talk: “Notes from the playroom”A teachers’ meeting in Karşıyaka · 2024
In the press
- Interview on screen time in a local newspaperİzmir · 2025
What I don’t do
I don’t diagnose or recommend medication; that is the role of a child and adolescent psychiatrist. I don’t write reports for court or custody cases. I don’t promise outcomes: every child’s process is their own.
Parent seminars
Small-group meetings with plenty of questions and answers. Places are limited; fill in the form to book.
- 22Nov School mornings: saying goodbye without tearsThe playroom, Karşıyaka · 10:30–12:00 · 12 places Book a place
- 20Dec Talking with teens: side-by-side conversationsOnline · 20:00–21:30 · 20 places Book a place
Not sure where to start? Let’s talk for 15 minutes.If you like, let’s just talk for 15 minutes first.
The free intro call is by phone or online; then we decide together.Write with your family, or write first yourself; we’ll decide together how to start.