Naciye Ersözlü Çitil

I have finished my M.A. in Clinical Psychology in California, U.S.A. The graduate program I have attended was focused on Marriage and Family Therapy as well as individual therapy. During my internship I had a chance to work with couples, families and individuals in New Beginnings Counseling Center and with substance and alcohol misuse in Prototypes Women’s Center. I have been seeing a similar client profile more than a decade.

In recent years, Polyvagal Theory is embraced by psychotherapists. This theory provides a better understanding for the vortex of trauma and addiction. Using Polyvagal theory’s therapeutic applications in my practice is becoming one of the greatest tools that I have. 

While I was working on clients with addiction problems I have observed that marriage and family counselling increases the effectiveness of addiction therapy. Between 2012 and 2013, I served as a Clinical Psychologist at Balıklı Rum Hospital Anatolia 1 Addiction Service and had a chance to include the families and spouses into the therapy process. The positive results I have obtained in almost all cases confirmed my observation. In 2015-2016 I was a clinical director in Avcılar Belediye Baskanlıgı C4 Recovery Solutions Counseling and Follow up Center. 

Although I prefer the Psychodynamic Approach in general, I should admit that I am quite impressed by the methods of Latin American psychotherapist Salvador Minuchin in the case of family counselling. The similarities and common aspects between Latin American and Turkish families have a part in my positive impression. 

I believe that the discovery of the distressful points of a family structure and the problems these points seem to lead is a very special journey for both the therapist and the family. 

For me, replacing whatever is not functioning in the structure (or the system) with a new and functioning element and witnessing how a family tries this new element and gets satisfactory results forms the climax of this breathtaking journey. 

In the case of couples therapy I in general adopt an Emotionally Focused Therapy. I find it very effective, fruitful and meaningful to support each member of a couple in the process of admitting and understanding his/her own feelings and getting ready to share them open heartedly with each other. 

I have developed an interest in helping LGBTT individuals as an intern and I continue providing counselling services to them voluntarily. I am quite concerned with the problems they encounter in Turkey and I feel lucky to know some members of the LGBTT community at Kadın Kapısı.

Currently also I teach in both undergraduate, graduate level and supervise. 

A good command of Psychodynamic Approach

A good command of Polyvagal Theory and its implications in therapy. 

A good command of Marriage and Family Therapy Methods

Experience in Substance and Alcohol Addiction Therapy

Trauma Informed Therapy

Experience in Group Therapy

Experience in helping adults with sexual identity issues

Sensitivity to issues concerning diversity

Experience in Somatic Therapy (from the viewpoints of Hakomi, Gestalt and Mindfulness)

Supervision