Psychological
support center
The Psychological Support Center at SDU helps students and staff of the university resolve both academic and personal difficulties. The center’s goal is to assist students and staff in improving their mental well-being and health by providing a safe and supportive environment where they can receive counseling. In addition, the center conducts seminars and training sessions to strengthen psychological health and expand students’ and staff’s knowledge in the field of psychology.
MISSION
To assist individuals in self-knowledge and in accepting responsibility for their lives.
OUR TEAM
Director of the Center
gulnur.yeszhanova@sdu.edu.kz
Existential Psychologist, Trauma Therapist
Center Psychologist
Psychological Research and Practice
diana.karim@sdu.edu.kz
Existential Psychologist
Center Psychologist
Psychological Research and Practice
nazerke.seitkaziyeva@sdu.edu.kz
Works with a Transactional Analysis method
Center Psychologist
Psychological Research and Practice
assel.aitimbetova@sdu.edu.kz
Existential Psychologist, Trauma Therapist
Center Psychologist
Psychological Research and Practice
zhansaya.akhmetsadyk@sdu.edu.kz
Works with Emotionally Focused Therapy and Psychodrama
WORK DIRECTIONS

The center provides free individual counseling in Kazakh, Russian, and English for all university students and staff.
Everyone may face moments where they feel unable to overcome certain challenges in their lives. The center's psychologists are ready to help with a variety of difficulties, including:
• Family problems and separation
• Difficulties in communication and relationships
• Work-related issues
• Academic struggles
• Life changes (moving, university)
• Anxiety and stress
• Frequent mood swings
• Self-esteem issues
• Lack of motivation or doubts about chosen profession
• Uncertainty in life
• Questions of meaning, responsibility, life, death, and choice
• Loss of a loved one
Both staff and students are welcome to seek counseling. Sessions can be conducted either offline or online.

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy or psychological counseling provided to several participants at the same time. Therapeutic interaction in the group is supervised by a psychologist and is based on the principles of open sharing of thoughts and experiences among participants. The depth of personal experience largely depends on the level of openness of each participant. This type of therapy, conducted in an existential approach, is designed specifically for the student audience.

The center regularly organizes events in collaboration with SDU Life and other student organizations, such as:
• Relax Day
• Express Chat
• Q&A Sessions
• Mental Health Day
• Mental Health Week

The center’s specialists, as well as invited experts, conduct seminars, masterclasses, and trainings for students and staff aimed at enhancing psychological awareness and promoting personal growth through self-awareness and self-knowledge. These programs cover a wide range of topics, including:
• Developing emotional intelligence
• Mastering effective communication skills
• Stress-relief relaxation techniques
• Conflict resolution
• Improving communication abilities
• Understanding and overcoming self-aggression

To enhance the mental health and well-being of students and staff, research is conducted using both quantitative and qualitative methods. In the 2023-2024 academic year, a research project on psychodiagnostics, intervention, and prevention was successfully completed with the goal of monitoring and improving the psychological state of first-year students.

An online appointment system is available for scheduling consultations with psychologists, but in emergency cases, there is an option to meet with a psychologist outside of the standard schedule. This includes providing urgent support to victims of any form of harassment and violence, individuals who have experienced the loss of loved ones, as well as students and staff exhibiting signs of self-harm or having suicidal intentions.
• 150 (24/7) or Whatsapp: +7 708 10 608 10 (24/7) – National telephone helpline for children and youth
• 111 (24/7) - "Call-center 111" for family, women and protection of children's rights.
Follow our Instagram page for updates on consultation scheduling:
https://www.instagram.com/sdu_psy/. You can schedule an appointment via the link in Taplink, which is also posted on this page. Each staff member and student can use up to 6 consultations per semester. You can review the rules on our Instagram page.
The psychologist will help you reassess your problems, provide support, and assist you in managing changes. However, we do not prescribe medication. If needed, we recommend consulting a psychiatrist.
• If you are unable to attend your scheduled consultation for any reason, please inform us as soon as possible.
• You can cancel your appointment by sending an email to the chosen psychologist. Please include "Appointment Cancellation" in the subject line of your email.
• By notifying us in advance, you allow us to offer the slot to another client in urgent need of help. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping others by informing us about cancellations promptly.