Areas of Practice

Individual psychotherapy

The individual therapy process includes one-on-one sessions conducted between the client and the therapist within the therapeutic framework. These sessions can be held online, in person, or in a hybrid format according to the client’s preference. Sessions last approximately 45–50 minutes. The first session is considered as the clinical intake session. During this meeting, the therapist listens to the client’s reasons for starting therapy, life story, family background, and expectations from therapy. Shared therapy goals are established between the client and therapist, and future sessions are planned accordingly. Sessions are generally recommended once a week; however, the frequency may be adjusted depending on the client’s needs and process.

Signing the informed consent form before the first session is a prerequisite. The consent form defines the therapy framework and explains the rights and responsibilities of both the client and the therapist. For more explanations regarding the consent form, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and for detailed information about the therapy framework, please review the example of the consent form.

Group psychotherapy

Group therapy consists of therapeutic group sessions conducted within a therapeutic framework with 5–12 participants, led by a therapist and in some cases with a co-therapist. The number of participants, inclusion criteria, age range, number of sessions, duration, and other features are carefully evaluated and planned in accordance with the purpose of the group work. Participants may be referred by their individual therapists or apply directly through announcements. Those wishing to participate are invited to a preliminary interview where expectations and their compatibility with the group’s purpose are assessed. Signing the group therapy consent form is a prerequisite for confirmed participation. This form defines the rules necessary for a beneficial group process and clarifies the rights and responsibilities of both participants and the therapist, establishing a safe framework.

The first sessions focus on revisiting and collaboratively building the framework defined in the consent form, introductions, and warm-up activities that facilitate bonding. The therapist plays a facilitating role in promoting sharing and cohesion throughout all sessions. Activities are shaped according to the purpose of the group and thanks to the shared experience during these activities participants realize they are not alone in their struggles and gain new perspectives. Unlike individual therapy, participants learn both by observing others and through direct personal experience. The group dynamic, as a small representation of society, allows participants to work directly on challenges they experience in daily life.

Schema Therapy

Schema therapy is a humanistic and integrative approach primarily based on attachment theory. It incorporates techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, emotion-focused therapy, psychodynamic approaches, and others. According to schema therapy, every child has universal core needs such as acceptance and validation, unconditional love, spontaneity and play, stability, safety, healthy boundaries, etc. When these needs are insufficiently or excessively met, individuals may develop dysfunctional belief systems about themselves and their relationships with others. As a result of repeated experiences and learnings through life, especially during childhood and adolescence, these belief systems strengthen and manifest themselves as recurring life patterns, called schemas in the adulthood. While everyone has schemas, some may negatively impact one’s life and lead to recurring maladaptive cycles. For instance, sentences such as “I find myself always in unhappy relationships”, “I choose all the time untrustworthy partners”, “Whatever I succeed in life, still I feel like I’m not enough” might indicate the presence of some dysfunctional schemas. Schema therapy aims to work with these patterns and soften schemas where they are dysfunctional by focusing on unmet early life needs.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a scientifically supported approach that aims to desensitize traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation of the brain. Although it was named after the use of eye movements, stimulation can also be achieved through tactile or auditory methods. This stimulation reactivates the brain’s natural information processing system, which may have been disrupted by trauma, and reduces the negative emotional, cognitive, and physical effects of traumatic experiences.
Memories are not erased with EMDR; however, the emotional intensity and discomfort associated with them decreases, so they no longer function as disturbing triggers in daily life. Originally developed for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, EMDR is also effective in treating many other conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, eating disorders, and self-esteem issues.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a structured approach that focuses directly on current problems and aims to create change by working with the interaction between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. According to this model, individuals may develop negative core beliefs about themselves and the world throughout development, such as “I am unlovable”, “The world is dangerous and I can’t trust anyone”. These beliefs influence how events are interpreted, often leading to distorted thinking and negative automatic thoughts. These thoughts affect emotions, bodily sensations, and behaviors, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. CBT examines the relationships between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, challenges dysfunctional thinking patterns, promotes alternative perspectives, and supports the development of new skills. While it considers the origins of problems, CBT focuses more on present issues and practical solutions compared to schema therapy.