Sezin Benli, MA
Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist
FosterCare: Improving the Foster Family Process with Innovative Training Models
2024-2026
It is a project developed to increase the knowledge and skills of experts working with foster families in order to improve the basic parenting skills of foster families and the foster family system. The project was carried out in cooperation with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, the Istanbul Governorship and the Istanbul Foster Family Association, foreign partners Drosostalida (Greece), Solidaridad Sin Fronteras (Spain), Center Netrepka (Croatia).
Monitoring and Evaluation at the Earthquake-Affected Regions
2024
AÇEV is conducting parent support trainings adapted to post-disaster parenting skills in earthquake-affected regions to support parents, who have the most significant impact on children’s well-being and development. Focus groups were organized to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mother Support Program provided in the “Child and Family Centers” established by AÇEV in three provinces in the earthquake region (Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Hatay). You can review AÇEV’s work in the earthquake region in the booklet below.
Ay Kuşağı: Summer School
2023
A psychological rehabilitation program was created to strengthen the mental health of young people under state protection. This program, which was implemented in the form of a daycare center, aimed to increase the functionality of the children and help them to be more effectively involved in life. A summer school was implemented in July and August as a pilot study for approximately two months to create an effective intervention program that would include various psychological treatment and support systems such as individual psychotherapy, group therapies, art therapies, vocational courses, special education, and sports activities.
"We Strengthen the Child by Supporting the Family" Project
2021-2022
The goal was to establish a shared discourse among civil society, experts, and public employees involved in the reunification process for children under state protection with their biological families, and to share recommendations on the subject to a broader audience. Throughout the project, a communication campaign was implemented, including one-on-one interviews with civil society organizations, focus groups, and training to build campaign capacity. Additionally, the proposed good-practice model was presented as a training package for psychosocial support specialists.
Family Reunification Psychosocial Support Modeling Project
2018-2021
It is an initiative designed to support the follow-up and reintegration process for children who have left state care and returned to their biological families. Therapy sessions were conducted in each family’s home. As part of this pilot study, a total of 12 families and 27 children participated, resulting in a proposed “Return to Family Model.”