In recent years, productions focused on personal development and mental health have gained popularity, while some “ethical” discussions have also occurred. The latest address in the center of the discussions is the “Olive Tree” series broadcast on Netflix. While the scenes related to “Family Constellation” in the series, which stars many famous names, have been criticized by expert psychiatrists and psychologists, it has also been noted that the images projected to the audience are exaggerated and incorrect. Experts, who warned citizens through Haberglobal.com.tr, emphasized that new trend treatment methods with spiritual content and no scientific basis are interesting, but worrying. On the other hand, the “Family Constellation” constantly covered in the series argues that the psychological disorders people experience are caused by problems in their family of origin.
INTERPRETED WRONG
Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Hakan Türkçapar drew attention to the fact that many contents contain features that are incompatible with the process and ethics of mental health services. Warning citizens against unscientific methods, Prof. Dr. Türkçapar listed the following important warnings: “The content in the local production broadcast on Netflix is likely to create a false image in society. Spiritual elements placed while creating fictional content may lead to misinterpretations of mental health interventions in society and misrecognition of the scientific disciplines of psychiatry and psychology.”
NOT SCIENTIFIC
“The images conveyed in the series are not a scientific approach and contain completely fictional elements. The method itself is a mixture of some scientific findings and unscientific elements. Normally, family history and family relations are a subject addressed in therapy. For example, in psychodrama applications, individuals in the group can determine people who represent family members and act out the conflicts between them. However, in the series, the dynamics within the family system are associated with the traumas experienced by ancestors. Such approaches have no scientific basis. People should seek help from experts on psychological issues and not resort to ineffective methods.
Dr. Ersin Baltacı (Turkish Psychiatric Association Group Psychotherapy Working Unit Coordinator)
“Family constellation became popular with the series and attracted people’s attention. Some of my patients ask, ‘Do you do family constellation?’ Family constellation is based on the knowledge that various intergenerational traumas can affect a person’s current life. This has been a known method for a long time. The problem with the series is related to the images projected. People who try to open all the locks with only one piece of information cause false impressions to be formed. Psychotherapy can also be performed by people who are experts in the field of mental health. Otherwise, very dangerous consequences can arise.”
Töre Simge Korkut (Expert Clinical Psychologist)
“Today, unfortunately, rituals and models that have no scientific basis are being performed under the name of ‘therapy’. People resort to such unscientific practices because they create a short-term ‘well-being’, or placebo effect. The aim of therapy is not to get better in the short term, but to ensure that the person’s internal balance, which is regulated with proven scientific tools throughout their life, is sustainable. Some of the clients who come to us are curious about such unscientific practices due to the influence of social media. Then, they come to our door in a traumatized state. We must stay away from practices that are not based on any scientific research and are presented under the name of therapy by unauthorized people.” Cover Photo: Olive Tree Series
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