The Dilemma of Authority and Competence: A Qualitative Assessment of Expert Opinions on Psychotherapy Competence/Yetki ve Yetkinlik Ikilemi: Psikoterapi Yetkinligi Konusunda Uzman Goruslerine Dair Nitel Bir Degerlendirme

The ongoing debates about the definition, application, and competency issues in psychotherapy are creating obstacles to standardizing psychotherapy practices and enhancing the quality of professional practice among mental health professionals. In Turkiye, the vague boundaries of legal processes regulating psychotherapy practices are causing various difficulties in seeking solutions. This study evaluates definitions, competencies, and interprofessional authority sharing based on expert opinions on psychotherapy practices. The research was conducted using qualitative research methods based on semi-structured interviews with 25 professionals who had practiced psychotherapy for at least 5 years. The data obtained within the scope of the research are distributed into five different themes: "the nature of psychotherapy," "the definition of mental health professionals," "who can practice psychotherapy," "authority and competence," and "suggestions for legal regulation." The results of the research indicate significant diversities among different professional groups about the definition and application of psychotherapy. Although this situation hosts various perspectives, it also reveals the complexity of standardizing and monitoring practices. Participants agree on the need for stricter practices on competencies and oversight mechanisms governing psychotherapy practice. Professionals from various disciplines in the mental health field, such as psychiatry, psychology, psychological counseling, social work, and psychiatric nursing, can take on effective roles as psychotherapists. However, the successful fulfillment of this role depends on the education received, experience, and competence levels of the individuals involved, and oversight should be emphasized and closely monitored. Keywords: Ethics, legislation, psychotherapy, mental health, mental health professionals. Psikoterapinin tanim, uygulama ve yetkinlik meseleleri hakkindaki suregelen tartismalar, ruh sagligi uzmanlari arasinda psikoterapi uygulamalarinin standardizasyonu ve mesleki uygulama kalitesinin gelistirilmesi konusunda engeller olusturmaktadir. Ulkemizde, psikoterapi uygulamalarini duzenleyen yasal duzenlemelerin belirsiz sinirlari, cozum arayislarinda cesitli zorluklara neden olmaktadir. Bu calisma, psikoterapi uygulamalari uzerine uzman goruslerini temel alarak, tanimlar, yetkinlikler ve mesleklerin ortak uygulama alanlarina dair konularin degerlendirilmesini yapmayi amaclamaktadir. Arastirma, ni