An interview with the Clinical Psychologist Haoua

The Present-Day Psychotherapists in Algeria; Part Two: with Haoua Benzaid

Another interview about psychology in Algeria, with the 26 years old Haoua Benzaid, a clinical psychologist, who works in a private school where she follows up children with difficulties, she also offers online consultations (teleconsultations) and takes care of elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Haoua obtained her bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Bejaia in 2019 and a master’s degree from the private university of Dalton in 2023.

What sparked your interest in this field of study?

I have always been fascinated by all that is medicine and brain function, although psychology isn’t medicine but the two are complementary.

Can you describe the atmosphere at your workplace? And what do you enjoy most about your job as psychologist ?

There is nothing more soothing than working with children in a lively atmosphere and with the elderly in a warm, gentle and joyful atmosphere, it’s a joy to see them smile, happy and fulfilled.

How would you define the role of a psychologist?

A psychologist must imperatively help people to manage and overcome their problems, his or her fundamental mission is to psychologically evaluate people and make a diagnosis. Listening, recognizing the problem and accompanying are the fundamental principles of the profession.

Could you please provide us with an overview of mental health and mental disorder?

Mental health enables us to cope with the stressors in our lives, to achieve our potential, to study and work well, and to contribute to community life, and can be described as personal well-being.

This is compared to mental disorders which are characterized by a clinically significant alteration in an individual’s cognitive state, emotion regulation or behavior and which can lead to a state of severe distress.

Can you go into more detail about the services, the approaches, and methods you apply on your patient?

As a clinical psychologist, I use several evaluation tools such as questionnaires, evaluation scales and tests.

For the methodology: interview, observation, investigation and experimentation are the basis of the methods used.

The most used approach is the cognitive behavioral approach.

In your perspectives and from your psychiatric experience, what is the relation between emotional, spiritual, and physical health?

Emotional, spiritual and physical health have a complementary relationship, if one of them is missing, the whole organism could be affected.

What is the most difficult part of your job?

The most difficult thing in this profession is to deal with one’s own suffering, it is important to know that even psychologists sometimes find themselves overwhelmed by events and emotions too.

What characteristics must a psychologist acquire to have an impact?

The characteristics of a psychologist are: the sense of observation and communication, analysis, listening, trust and especially empathy.

What is the average number of patients you get per month?

Between the consultations at home, at the private school and at a distance (tele-consultation) I would say that I have about twenty patients who have a regular follow-up once a week.

How much do you think the internet and social media have an influence on people’s psychology?

It all depends on the use, there are some people who have been able to advance and have a good influence of social media and others who haven’t known how to choose and have found themselves in the dark side of the latter. Everything has a good and bad side.

Who are your most frequent patients? What psychological issues do you treat the most?

The patients I treat the most are children and the elderly.

For children I deal more with those who have problems with:

ADHD, OCD and trauma.

Concerning the elderly I deal with people with neurodegenerative diseases

What are the typical root causes of mental illness in Algeria, in your personal professional observation?

The most common causes of mental disorders in Algeria are much more social: Unemployment, the lack of means but also vthe lack of support.

Mental health problems are becoming more prevalent almost everywhere in the world. What are your thoughts about that?

Social and economic factors are in a lamentable state, causing most people to fall into critical psychological situations

Some patients are hesitant to go to any psychological clinic out of embarrassment over what others might think of them. What are your thoughts on it, and how would you offer those individuals advice?

There is no harm in seeing a psychologist to get help, everyone needs to be listened to, oriented and above all to be understood and isn’t only people with psychological disorders who should consult.

Have you ever been in a position where you could not help your patients? If yes, how did it go?

I am often confronted with complex situations and I do not hesitate to contact or refer my patient to a psychiatrist for an opinion.

Like teachers, doctors, and nurses; your work appears to be incredibly rewarding. How does it feel to serve others and make a difference in their lives?

Soothing, supporting and understanding a person is the best power we have as psychologists

What advice would you offer to students who are interested in psychology but are unsure what steps they need to take?

The best advice is to choose a specialty that is important to you, to set goals and above all to fight to achieve the best results.

Never listen to what others say, think and act.

Haoua Benzaid: https://instagram.com/eve_psy_online?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=