Contact Information & FAQs

I have comprehensive training in Complex/Developmental Trauma, Existential and Humanistic Approaches to treatment, and Motivational Interviewing (MI). I look from a systemic perspective not only because of my personality, but also as a result of my graduate school studies as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT).

Let's debunk a common misconception here that MFTs only see couples and families! Majority of my clients are individuals, whom I see as being part of systems (couple, family, community, culture, school, race, ethnicity,.. you name it, we're all part of many systems). We don't live in isolation, and everything makes sense within a context. Individuals and systems affect each other all the time, and as an MFT, my expertise is to be able to recognize patterns in these dynamics and part of our work is to increase your awareness of this so you can make more conscious choices.

I cannot ask you to trust me, since I know I need to earn your trust over time. My bicultural background broadens my insight and respect for different values and belief systems, any kind of diversity including gender, race, class, ethnicity, and sexual orientation, which in turn informs my strength-based approach to therapy.

Well, being in therapy is not full of roses, rainbows, and butterflies. Maybe some roses, but with the thorns. All kinds of emotions are welcome (and encouraged) in sessions, including joy! I always look for ways of bringing humor into sessions, because laughter is a very powerful medicine for healing.

Sometimes, people are afraid of getting in touch with feelings and letting it all out. Don’t worry, I am here for you to help you contain your emotions if you need to, but I am also here for you to learn how to “feel your feelings” to help you heal and learn from them.

Due to my experience and special interest in these areas, I am enthusiastic to work with people going through the following issues:

• Life transitions

• Family of origin issues

• Acculturation, immigration, cultural differences in many aspects of life including parenting, lack of sense of belonging

• Special issues with kids in (or have been in) foster care and adopted children

• Growing up with "emotionally absent" parents

• Complex/inter-generational trauma history

• Relationship issues

• Changing career later in life

• Women going back to the work after having kids

• Parenting

• Becoming a first time parent

• Growing up or raising children in an “achievement culture” in privileged communities

• Depression/Anxiety/Mood Disorders

• Perfectionism and its effects on our mental health and happiness level

• Self-esteem issues

• Finding our own voice and self-advocacy skills

• Grief and loss of any kind

I have a counseling degree from California State University of East Bay (CSUEB) and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT94911) with more than 10 years of experience in working with children, adolescents, and adults through a variety of treatment modalities around a vast number of issues.

I am certified in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and I am a Certified Grief Informed Counselor through Evergreen Certifications.

I provide FREE therapy services through a non-profit organization called A Home Within, which provides free services for people who have been a part of the foster care system at any point in their lives.

I am a former secretary of the SF Chapter of CALAPT (California Association of Play Therapists), volunteering my time to assist the chapter events.

I am a former Co-director of the nonprofit organization called BAPTI (Bay Area Psychotherapy Institute) in Lafayette, which provides high quality and affordable mental health services to the community and training for clinicians working towards licensure.

I have provided training for other service providers who are working in community mental health agencies throughout the Bay Area as well as supervising Associates who are on their path to become licensed clinicians.

Last but not least, I am the founder of EBTC (East Bay Therapist Community), connecting therapists in private practice to support and learn from each other through a variety of events and casual gatherings. EBTC helps me to stay informed about other local therapists’ specialties, current openings, and resources they provide, which in turn benefits my clients. My connections through EBTC or otherwise allows me to make the most informed referrals for clients who I need to refer out for various reasons, including being full at times. I do not keep a waitlist since I don’t believe in waiting for someone to be available to help, when help is needed. Instead, I refer out.

​Thanks for asking! I’m very open with my clients, so please, do not hesitate to ask these kinds of questions. I am originally from Turkey, have two children, and also have an engineering degree. I am fluent in English and Turkish. I love reading, swimming, camping, traveling, hanging out with friends, attending concerts and seeing live plays and shows at local venues, going out for dates with my husband, reading or dozing off by the fire, cooking from scratch, doing streaming marathons of variety of TV shows, and snuggling with my dogs (two of my own and additional foster dogs on a regular basis).

​I am also working as a volunteer for a non-profit organization called Lucky Dog Rescue in Pleasanton, fostering dogs that have been rescued from kill shelters, until their forever families are found.

My standard talk therapy, play therapy and Neurofeedback (NFB) session fee is $235 for a 50-minute session. NFB sessions can be prorated, based on length, which would be determined based on clinical needs and measured response to NFB. Most clients pay $120 for 20-30 minute sessions, once or twice a week.

Although I do not accept any insurance plans, I would be happy to provide you with a “Superbill” that you may submit to your insurance company for partial reimbursement. Not all insurance plans cover “outside of network providers” and/or NFB though, so it’s always a good idea to check with your insurance company.

Please ask your insurance company if you out of network (OON) benefits for mental health and if so, how much they would reimburse you for the following service codes:

• 90834 - Psychotherapy, 45 minutes

• 90837 - Psychotherapy, 60 minutes

• 90846 and 90847 - Family therapy, with or without patient present (this code also covers couples therapy)

• 90901 - Biofeedback Training (Neurofeedback sessions)

Also, please be advised that using your insurance requires a diagnosis, and then the diagnosis will become part of your health records.

I do! However, there are only a limited number of slots I reserve for clients who really need a sliding scale to be able to afford therapy, and I offer them on a first come first served basis. If I cannot accommodate your financial needs, I am happy to connect you with one of my associates who are able to offer therapy at more affordable fees, or share information on low-fee clinics.