About Me

🔬 Utrecht University, the Netherlands – PhD in Clinical Psychology (2025 – Ongoing)

🧠 Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul – MA in Clinical Psychology (2020 – 2022)

✈️ Tilburg University, the Netherlands – Erasmus Exchange Program (2018 – 2019)

🎓 Özyeğin University, Istanbul – BSc in Psychology (2015 – 2020)

BEING A THERAPIST

“A good therapist must fully witness the client’s emotions and be able to carry them.”” – Bessel van der Kolk

As therapists, we listen each day to the many different stories of the people who sit across from us. These stories may reveal the shattering impact of trauma, the dark face of depression, the suffocating grip of anxiety, the sorrow of an unheard voice, or the turbulence of strained relationships. Within the therapy room, there is space for every feeling: for stormy anger, for the tears held inside, for the whirlpool of despair, for frustration, grief, and disappointment.

Although therapists may take different paths, we share the same values: every person—of any color, culture, background, or sexual identity—deserves a safe space for the unique feelings, thoughts, and experiences that shape their inner world. The path I walk as a therapist leads through EMDR Therapy. But what is EMDR?

In life, we sometimes face events that shake us to our very core: the loss of a loved one, physical or emotional abuse, a neglected childhood, living with a chronic illness, or the betrayal of infidelity. At times, such experiences are so overwhelming that the brain cannot fully process them. It is as if the images, emotions, and sounds of that moment become “stuck in a file.” Whenever something reminds us of it, the file reopens, and we find ourselves reliving the same pain as if it were happening again.

These “unprocessed” memories continue to affect our inner world, shaping how we see ourselves and relate to others. We may come to feel worthless, inadequate, or powerless; struggle with sudden bursts of anger; fear abandonment so intensely that relationships become fragile; or find it difficult to set boundaries.

Over time, these inner struggles may develop into psychological disorders—going beyond a “difficult period” to deeply affect our mental health: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety Disorders (such as Phobias, Social Anxiety, OCD, or Panic Disorder), Eating Disorders, and more.

Through psychotherapy, we work to reframe and make sense of these painful experiences, opening the way for meaningful change in your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors—and for deeper self-understanding. In essence, psychotherapy is a journey, one that creates space for you to rediscover yourself.

WORK EXPERIENCE

🌿 Utrecht University: PhD Candidate (Clinical Psychology)
📍 the Netherlands
🗓️ June 2025 – Present

🌿 Logos Psychotherapy: Clinical Psychologist
📍 Türkiye
🗓️ September 2020 – June 2025

🌿 Academy of Therapeutic Sciences: Co-Founder & General Coordinator
📍 Türkiye
🗓️ September 2022 – Present

🌿 Spring Health: Clinical Psychologist
📍 USA (Online)
🗓️ May 2023 – Present

🌿 Mindgram & Nuna: Clinical Psychologist
📍 Poland and Spain (Online)
🗓️ March–December 2024

MEMBERSHIP

• The Dutch Institute of Psychologists (NIP), (No: 250413)
• Turkish Psychologists Association (TPD), (No: 221617)
• EMDR Association Scientific Research Committee, Member
• EMDR Trauma Healing Group, Member
• Psychology Mentorship, Founder

TRAININGS & CERTIFICATES

VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCES

EMDR Trauma Recovery Group (EMDR TİG):
Following the February 6 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake, I contributed to the coordination of psychosocial support efforts in Kilis and Gaziantep. In addition, I led an online support group of volunteer therapists based in Istanbul.

Psychology Network (Psikoloji Ağı):
I took part in a volunteer psychological support project for young people. I conducted one-on-one sessions with youth going through difficult times, providing them with psychological support.

BAMBU Volunteer Education Platform:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I offered online classes and seminars for socioeconomically disadvantaged children. This initiative aimed to reduce educational inequality, even if only in part.

Ministry of Youth and Sports (Republic of Türkiye):
I contributed to the design of a training program for mental health professionals affiliated with the Ministry. As a trainer, I delivered modules focusing on EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Metacognitive Therapy (MCT), and Psychological First Aid (PFA).

BEING A RESEARCHER

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.” – Albert Einstein

Theory lies at the heart of practice. Finding the most fitting solution to a problem, generating creative ideas, and evaluating the effectiveness of the vast ocean of psychological techniques all become possible through research. My academic and professional journey has been shaped by this belief: delivering seminars in different fields of psychology to inspire young psychologists; publishing our tested hypotheses as scientific articles; writing accessible pieces for books and journals to inform the wider public; engaging in international projects that bring together colleagues from across the globe; integrating technology into our field in a rapidly changing world—and above all, creating. Creating what is original, innovative, beneficial, and unique. Thinking together, creating together, healing together. It is this shared ground that drives my academic efforts and professional presence. This path has led me to Utrecht University in the Netherlands, where I am currently a PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology. My research focuses on developing a culturally sensitive EMDR protocol to improve the mental health of migrants from diverse cultural backgrounds.

FIELDS OF EXPERTISE