10 Best English Speaking Therapists for Expats in Türkiye

Expat life in Türkiye begins with excitement, but emotional challenges like isolation, cultural adjustment, and language barriers can take a toll over time. Around 38% of people in Turkey report a mental health issue, and these numbers go up for the expat population. 

Although mental health services are growing in Türkiye, the lack of English‑speaking therapists often prevents nomads from seeking help. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of top English‑speaking therapists for expats who understand cross‑cultural challenges. 

Read on to find the right therapist and take the first step toward healing.

1. Trevor Brown – The Other Therapy

Trevor Brown founded The Other Therapy in 2020 to support expats and digital nomads. He proves to be the best English-speaking therapist in Türkiye, helping expats cope with anxiety, trauma, and relationship challenges. 

His approach blends compassion with accountability, encouraging clients to confront limiting patterns and develop resilience. Brown holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Naropa University and has advanced training in the Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT). 

He provides therapy for depression, anxiety, trauma, identity issues, and intercultural relationship problems. As the lead therapist of The Other Therapy, he has helped hundreds of expats living in Turkey, Bali, and other countries globally. 

Qualification	MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) PACT Level 2 Trained RLT Certified Couples Therapist Certification in ACT Certification in MI
Specialization	Anxiety, trauma, relationship problems, intercultural adaptation, couples therapy
Practicing Since	2018 (Founded The Other Therapy in 2020)

2. Dilek Erdogan 

Clinical psychologist, Dilek Erdogan, specialises in depressive disorders and relationship difficulties. She obtained her Master’s in Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Groningen and received her clinical psychologist licence in 2020. Her research has examined student motivation and burnout. 

After internships in psychiatry and psychometrics, she opened the Koru Psychology Counselling Centre in 2023. Through her platforms, she provides evidence‑based therapy using cognitive‑behavioural and psychodynamic methods.

Qualification	B.A. Psychology (James Madison University) M.Sc. Clinical Psychology (University of Groningen) Licensed Clinical Psychologist (2020)
Specialization	Depressive disorders, anxiety, OCD, communication issues, relationship problems, addiction
Practicing Since	2020

3. Damla Yıldırım

Dr. Damla Yıldırım is a clinical psychotherapist offering therapy to individuals, couples, and families across Türkiye and other countries. She helps clients fight anxiety, trauma, and cross‑cultural adjustment. Her qualifications include a Ph.D. in Clinical and Health Psychology and an M.Sc. in Clinical and Child Psychology. 

Being one of the best English-speaking therapists, she combines Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and psychoanalytic frameworks. Moreover, she offers sessions in English or Turkish to cater to expats around the world.

Qualification	Ph.D. Clinical and Health Psychology M.Sc. Clinical and Child Psychology B.Sc. Psychology
Specialization	Trauma, relationship issues, identity shifts, and cross-cultural adjustment
Practicing Since	2022

4. Onur Bal

Onur Bal is a licensed psychologist and psychotherapist based in Istanbul. He studied psychology at Istanbul Bilim University, having extensive experience in private and clinical settings. As one of the best English-speaking therapists for expats in Turkey, he uses evidence‑based techniques to help clients overcome mental health issues. 

His client‑centred approach emphasises a supportive and judgement‑free environment. Onur serves his patients offline and even online to provide them with psychotherapy from the comfort of their homes. 

Qualification	Psychology degree from Istanbul Bilim University Training in CBT and dynamic therapy
Specialization	Anxiety, depression, relationship issues, career concerns, CBT, and dynamic therapy
Practicing Since	2010s

5. Eylül E. Serül

Eylül E. Serül works with adults seeking help for relationship difficulties, anger, and expat adjustment. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology, where she graduated with high honours. Serül completed internships at the French Lape Hospital and pursued psychodynamic psychotherapy training. 

Using psychodynamic approaches, she views symptoms as defence mechanisms. Plus, her therapy focuses on insight and the development of healthier coping strategies. 

Qualification	B.A. Psychology M.A. Clinical Psychology (Bahçeşehir University) TAT Adult Test Training
Specialization	Relationships, depression, anger, expat issues, personal development, grief
Practicing Since	2021

6. Gamze Tekin Larsson

Gamze Tekin Larsson is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist with over 11 years of experience. She offers sessions in English and Turkish to clients suffering from panic attacks and obsessive–compulsive disorder. 

After completing an M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, she continued to update her skills through international workshops. Being one of the best English-speaking therapists in Türkiye, she founded Inspira Psikoloji in 2023 for expats in Istanbul.

Qualification	B.A. Psychological Counselling and Guidance (Yeditepe University) M.Sc. Clinical Psychology (Üsküdar University) Certified in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Specialization	Depression, OCD, panic attacks, stress, anxiety, anger, phobias
Practicing Since	2013

7. Selim Cillov

Selim Cillov serves as a clinical psychologist with a psychoanalytic orientation grounded in the work of Freud and Lacan. He believes deep change comes from exploring unconscious conflicts and past traumas. Cillov is determined to serve the expats struggling with trauma and post‑traumatic stress disorder. 

He has been practising since 2017, having extensive experience working with community projects. This English-speaking therapist has treatment approaches based on Lacanian psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy. 

Qualification	B.A. Business Administration (Boston University) B.A. Psychology (Bahçeşehir University) Clinical Psychology degree (Okan University)
Specialization	Social anxiety, depression, activism, PTSD, psychoanalysis, and psychodynamic therapy
Practicing Since	2017

8. Esra Nihan Bridge

Esra Nihan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who offers online therapy to clients in Türkiye and several USA states. Her practice focuses on couples and individuals dealing with relationship conflict, relational trauma, and codependency. 

Bridge provides therapy in English and Turkish, integrating Brainspotting and the Gottman Method in her style of therapy. She describes her style as compassionate and culturally inclusive, which seems to be fit for expats globally.

Qualification	M.A. Couple and Family Therapy M.A. Social Science (Istanbul University Forensic Medicine Institute) B.A. Psychology (Istanbul University)
Specialization	Relationship and marriage counselling, codependency, trauma, PTSD, relational trauma
Practicing Since	2007

9. Ela Ari

Dr. Ela Ari is an ACT psychotherapist and clinical psychologist known for her work on resilience. Having lived in California for almost a decade, she understands expatriate challenges, making her one of the best English-speaking therapists for expats. 

She has been an academic and researcher in psychology since 2010 and holds multiple degrees. Most importantly, she uses Compassion‑Focused Therapy and mindfulness exercises to help clients with mental health issues. 

Qualification	Ph.D. Clinical Psychology M.A. Clinical Psychology B.A. Psychology
Specialization	Resilience, compassion-focused therapy, ACT, mindfulness, expat adjustment
Practicing Since	2010

10. Ozge Alkanat

Dr. Ozge Alkanat is a highly experienced clinical and developmental psychologist based in İzmir, Türkiye. She has dual doctorates, one in Couple and Family Therapy and another in Developmental Psychology. With over 3600 therapy sessions conducted, she works extensively with expats and families.

Her therapeutic approach combines systemic family therapy and developmental psychology. Plus, she provides sessions in Turkish and English, both in-person and online. 

Qualification	B.A. and M.A. in Psychology (Ege University) Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy (Hiebert Institute) Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology (Ege University)
Specialization	Cross-cultural adjustment, family, and couple therapy
Practicing Since	2000s

How to Find English‑Speaking Therapists for Expats in Turkey?

After reviewing the top therapists, you may wonder how to begin your search. Here are practical ways to find English‑speaking therapists in Turkey:

Specialist Directories

You can use therapy directories that filter by language and speciality. Websites like TherapyTribe and It’s Complicated let users search for therapists by location and issue. 

Online Therapy Platforms

Telehealth services make professional support accessible anywhere. The Other Therapy provides online sessions fit for expats, while international platforms such as BetterHelp connect you with licensed English‑speaking therapists worldwide. 

Expat Groups

Expats can also join local Facebook groups and nomad forums where members often share mental‑health resources. These groups can recommend trusted therapists and workshops designed for foreigners adjusting to Turkish culture.

Therapy Centres in Big Cities

İstanbul, Ankara, and İzmir host major mental‑health centres. Private hospitals and clinics usually have English‑speaking therapists. In smaller towns, online therapy may be the best option due to limited specialists.