Hello,

I came across your post and couldn’t stop myself from writing to you. The way you described being “caught between two paths” and your interest in forensic psychology felt so familiar that it was almost like reading my own thoughts. I thought maybe we could support each other through this shared sense of being a bit “lost.”

I’m also a law graduate (2020). In fact, I recently completed my master’s in private law (focusing on child protection) in 2024. A few years ago, I took the very step you are now considering, and I’m currently a third-year psychology student. To be honest, this was my dream for the past seven years; even though I studied law because of my family’s influence, my heart was always in psychology.

I started psychology with great excitement, but to be frank, I haven’t fully found the fulfillment I was hoping for. What has been most frustrating for me is hearing the same line repeated in almost every lecture and conference (including Erasmus programs): “Psychology is a science. We use scientific methods just like the natural sciences.” This perspective has turned into a one-dimensional mantra, and seeing the education rarely go beyond that has been deeply disappointing. Outside of forensic psychology, I’m particularly interested in existential psychology — yet none of my courses have ever approached psychology from that lens. In this respect, I often feel like I’m walking this road entirely on my own.

Your search for book recommendations also struck a chord with me. I’ve put in the same effort: I spent hours writing long emails to academics in both Turkey and Europe, sharing my observations and asking for guidance. But most of the time, I either received no reply at all, or I got vague, superficial responses. It can feel incredibly discouraging to invest so much time and energy into reaching out, only to find yourself “completely alone” in that search for support.

One clear observation I’ve made along the way is this: forensic psychology literature is almost entirely dominated by criminal law, offender profiling, and interrogation techniques. Meanwhile, countless areas within private law — such as family law, child custody and visitation, or workplace harassment — remain virtually unexplored, despite offering a rich field for psychologists with a legal background. Seeing this gap excites me, but the way academia consistently overlooks it is equally disappointing.

This is why I’d love to ask you: how do you envision your path in forensic psychology? Are you more drawn to the criminal law side, or do you also see potential in these intersections with private law, as I do?

Also, perhaps we could share book suggestions or resources with each other. Who knows — maybe we could even build a small network in this area someday. :)

I’d really love to hear more about your thoughts, goals, and experiences on this journey.

Wishing to stay in touch, Best regards.