Psychotherapy Doctors in Turkey

Prof. Dr. Engin Emrem Beştepe is a psychiatrist. She graduated from the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital. She completed a family therapy fellowship at the University of Chicago Center for Family Health in 1999.

She worked at Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental and Nervous Diseases Training and Research Hospital from 1997 to 2013. She became an Associate Professor of Psychiatry in 2012. In 2013, she was appointed Education Officer at Erenköy Hospital. She headed the Women’s Ward from 2013 to 2026. In 2021, she was appointed Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at SBÜ.

Dr. Özge Yükselay is a psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree from Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine. She completed her residency at Erenköy Mental and Nervous Diseases Hospital. She has worked at Van Regional Training and Research Hospital, Erenköy Mental and Nervous Diseases Hospital, and Moodist Neuropsychiatry Hospital. She brings broad clinical experience.

She combines psychotherapy with medical treatment. She also uses somatic therapies such as TMS, ECT, tDCS, and neurofeedback. Her practice includes depression, OCD, anxiety disorders, addiction, psychotic disorders, and mood disorders. She is interested in group therapy and psychodrama. She has a special focus on individual and group therapy for eating disorders.

Prof. Dr. Sermin Kesebir brings 24 years of expertise in neurophysiology and psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapies.

• Specializes in emotional disorders like depressive and bipolar disorders
• Published in international and national peer-reviewed journals
• Graduated from İzmir Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine
• Completed post-graduation at İzmir Ege University Psychiatry Department

Specializing in psychotherapy with a focus on addiction and anxiety disorders, Dr. Tastekin brings expert care to NP Istanbul Brain Hospital.

• Completed specialization in Psychiatry at Istanbul Erenkoy Mental and Neurological Diseases Training Hospital
• Thesis on computer-assisted cognitive improvement for opioid use disorder
• Extensive experience in AMATEM clinic for addiction treatments
• Skilled in cognitive behavioral therapy and dynamic psychotherapy

Dr. Yildirim provides expert psychotherapy at Moodist Psychiatry and Neurology Hospital, focusing on personalized patient care.

• Specializes in evidence-based therapeutic approaches
• Works with diverse patient populations
• Affiliated with a leading psychiatric hospital

Dr. Merve Setenay Gürbüz is a Psychiatry Specialist at Private Moodist Hospital. She completed her psychiatry training at Erenköy Mental and Nervous Diseases Hospital in 2017. She then worked for about two years at GOP Taksim Training and Research Hospital. In 2019, she worked at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital. She also served as an Assistant Professor at Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine. In 2021, she became the Responsible Manager at Rubi Medical Center. From June 2021, she was an Assistant Professor at İstinye University GOP Medicalpark Hospital and at İstinye University Faculty of Medicine. In 2022, she was appointed Head of the Department of Mental Health and Diseases at İstinye University Faculty of Medicine.

She has written articles and book chapters in Turkey and abroad.

Dr. Selin Birgul Baran provides specialized psychotherapy at Moodist Psychiatry and Neurology Hospital, known for its focus on mental health.

• Works at a leading institution for psychiatry and neurology
• Specializes in personalized treatment plans
• Trained in modern psychotherapy techniques

Dr. Cagdas Yokusoglu is a consultant psychiatrist with over 12 years of clinical experience. He specializes in adult psychiatry and evidence-based psychotherapy. He graduated from the English Medicine Program at Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University. He completed his psychiatry residency at Istanbul Faculty of Medicine.

He has worked in public and private settings. He now provides psychiatric assessment and psychotherapy in private practice. His care is individualized and evidence-based, covering a wide range of psychiatric disorders.

His advanced training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Analysis, and psychopharmacology.

Uzm. Dr. Gunay Hajiyeva is a psychiatrist. She graduated from Azerbaijan Medical University in 2013. She completed her psychiatry residency at Cukurova University Balcali Hospital in 2021. She received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, and Dynamic Sexual Therapy.

Her clinical focus includes schizophrenia, mood disorders, trauma, anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcohol and substance use disorders, and sexual dysfunction. She speaks English, Russian, and German. She is active in academic and clinical research. She has presented at national and international congresses.

Prof. Dr. Vehbi Alp Üçok is a psychiatrist who focuses on schizophrenia and mood disorders. He graduated from the Hacettepe Faculty of Medicine in 1985. He started his psychiatry residency at the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine in 1988. He became a specialist in 1993, an associate professor in 1995, and a professor in 2001.

He founded the Psychotic Disorders Research Program (PAP) at the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine in 1996. After psychosocial skills training at UCLA and the Brentwood VA in 1998, he set up inpatient and outpatient group therapy for psychosis. He also provided individual, family, and group psychotherapy.

His research covers first-episode and later schizophrenia, people at risk for psychosis, treatment-resistant schizophrenia, and stigma. He helped start the WPA schizophrenia anti-stigma program in Türkiye in 1998 and has been the Turkey coordinator since 2001. He is a member of the WPA Schizophrenia and Stigma sections, the European Psychiatric Association Schizophrenia Section, TRRIP, STRATA, and EURONES. He has 126 international articles and more than 5,000 citations (as of 14.11.2014). His Web of Science h-index is 35.

Dr. Merve Gümüşay is a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy. She completed medical school at the Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine. She finished her psychiatry residency at the Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital. She provides evidence-based psychotherapy. Her clinical focus includes depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, addiction, and women’s mental health.

She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Supportive Psychotherapy, and Sex Therapy. Dr. Gümüşay is a member of the Turkish Psychiatric Association and the Turkish Medical Association. She contributes to research and publications. She also takes part in national congresses.

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Solmaz is a board-certified psychiatrist. He earned his M.D. from Hacettepe University in 1989. He completed his psychiatry residency at Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital in 1996. He became an associate professor in 2014 and a professor in 2021.

From 2015 to 2020, he chaired the 4th Specialized Board of the Council of Forensic Medicine. He oversaw evaluations of criminal responsibility and legal competency.

He served on the psychiatry faculty at the Hamidiye Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences. He was an educational supervisor at the Psychiatry Clinic of Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital. He is currently the chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Beykent University Faculty of Medicine.

Beria Yılmaz, MSc, is a clinical psychologist at Optimed International Çorlu Hospital. Yılmaz joined the hospital in 2022.

Education: BSc in Psychology, Bursa Uludağ University, 2021. MSc in Clinical Psychology, Istanbul Arel University, 2024. Clinical training: Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Research Hospital, 2022. Prior practice: Dr. Sercan Yılmaz Psychiatry Clinic, 2021–2022.

Core expertise covers cognitive and emotional regulation. Focus areas include anxiety, depression, stress, obsessive–compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and specific phobias. Yılmaz also provides couples and family therapy, play therapy, and medical psychology. Support is available for workplace and academic stress. Languages: Turkish, English, Russian, Bulgarian.

Dr. Ufuk Çalışkan is a psychiatry specialist at Optimed International Çorlu Hospital. He provides evidence-based care and has more than 20 years of clinical experience.

He graduated from the GATA Faculty of Medicine in 1996. He completed his psychiatry residency at GATA in 2003. He has training in brief psychotherapies and REBT/CBT. He is a member of the Turkish Medical Association (Tekirdağ Medical Chamber).

He served as a military psychiatrist at Diyarbakır (2003–2007), Ankara Mevki (2007–2013), and Çorlu (2013–2016) Military Hospitals. He later worked at Private Optimed Hospital from 2017 to 2021. His expertise includes general adult psychiatry, mood and anxiety disorders, REBT, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and brief psychotherapy. He provides care in Turkish and English.

Dr. Esen specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy with accreditation from the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies (ACT). His research includes smart-phone based therapy for panic disorders.

• Trained at Hacettepe University and Harvard University
• Expert in treating anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Active member of multiple psychiatric associations
• Recipient of the EPA Early Career Psychiatrists Fellowship

Dr. Haluk Aksu specializes in treating anxiety and mood disorders using evidence-based therapies at Medicalpoint International Hospital.

• Trained at Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine
• Uses cognitive, behavioral, and EMDR therapies
• Formerly practiced at Bakirkoy Mental Health Hospital
• Treats a wide range of psychological conditions

Dr. Oflu specializes in treating a wide range of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, at Private Yüzyıl Hospital.

• Over 24 years of experience in psychiatry
• Expert in treating complex personality disorders and PTSD
• Trained at Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine
• Works with both adults and children

Specializes in psychotherapy for conditions like schizophrenia, depression, and PTSD. Professor of Psychiatry at Medicana International Ankara Hospital.

• 36 years of clinical experience
• Former Head of Psychiatry at Kırıkkale University
• Expertise in adolescent and geriatric mental health
• Residency at Gazi University – a top medical school

Dr. Karaca specializes in psychotherapy after years at Bakırköy Mental & Neurological Disorders Hospital, one of Turkey's leading psychiatric centers.

• 25 years of experience in psychiatry & psychotherapy
• Former specialist at Turkey's top psychiatric training hospital
• Currently practices at Emsey Hospital in Istanbul