Bakı Dövlət Universiteti Sosial elmlər və psixologiya fakültəsi

A theoretical and practical seminar titled “Causes and Treatment of Phobias" was held by Associate Professor of the Department of Psychology at Baku State University (BSU), Dr. Kamila Kazimova, and Fatima Jafarova, a graduate of the Psychology program at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Psychology.

The event was attended by Professor Sakhavat Aliyeva, Head of the Department of Psychology at BSU; Hijran Huseynova, Chairperson of the Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Milli Majlis; Members of Parliament Sevinc Huseynova, Parvana Valiyeva, Asif Asgarov, and Ulvi Guliyev; Irada Huseynova, Vice-President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences; Shabnam Jafarova, Senior Advisor of the Child Affairs Department of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children’s Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Professor Nuran Abdullayev; Vusala Musayeva, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Psychology at BSU; as well as faculty members from the Department of Psychology and other departments, students, and other guests of Dr. Kamila and Ms. Fatima.

The training was officially opened by the Head of the Department of Psychology, Professor Sakhavat Aliyeva, who delivered an introductory speech highlighting the theoretical and practical significance of the session, and wished success to the trainers.

Trainers Kamilya Kazimova and Fatima Jafarova provided comprehensive information on the clinical-psychological nature and symptoms of phobias, the distinction between fear and phobia, and various approaches to the causes of phobia. They also discussed the types of phobias in detail. The session included a live case presentation and discussion, as well as an overview of techniques used to overcome phobias. A live demonstration using hypnosis was carried out in front of the participants to treat a real client (with consent) suffering from a cat phobia. The trainers also applied the “Virtual Reality Technique" as an exposure method, allowing the client to confront their phobia in a controlled environment. Real clients shared personal stories about their phobias, which were then analyzed and discussed.

At the end of the session, a relaxation technique was practically applied to the participants, followed by an open discussion where their feedback was heard and questions were answered.

Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Family, Women, and Children Affairs, Hijran Huseynova, along with MPs Sevinc Huseynova, Parvana Valiyeva, Asif Asgarov, and Ulvi Guliyev, as well as Professor Nuran Abdullayev, shared their heartfelt reflections and praised the training for its academic and practical value.

Later, Professor Elchin Huseynov from the Department of Infectious Diseases at Azerbaijan Medical University, the department’s assistant Nilufar Mammadova, Valida Valiyeva from Baku State University’s Department of Psychology, Associate Professor Khatira Afandiyeva from the Department of Political Science and Sociology, Lala Sadigli, a student of Azerbaijan Medical University and practicing psychologist, Leyla Musaoglu, mother of a martyr and alumna of the faculty (Atamali Musaoglu), Sevinc Nabiyeva, psychologist at the Positive Psychology Center, and others spoke at the training and shared positive impressions.

The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants and a group photo as a memento of the training.