FAMILY THERAPY
My background in family therapy is rooted in attachment, trauma, early development, and interpersonal neurobiology. I trained at the UCSF Infant-Parent Program and UCSF Child Trauma Research Center, where I worked with children and families in attachment-focused and trauma-informed settings.
Before private practice, I worked in community mental health, developmental and family-based programs, trauma-focused settings, and family wellness environments. I also spent many years facilitating social skills groups for children and adolescents, particularly for neurodivergent children and children struggling socially or emotionally.
While I no longer work directly with very young children, my background in developmental psychology and family systems strongly informs how I understand emotional regulation, behavior, attachment patterns, nervous system responses, and family dynamics.
In family therapy, the focus is often on improving communication, reducing reactivity, strengthening connection, and helping family members move out of repetitive and unproductive interaction patterns.
My work is informed by:
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Attachment theory
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Interpersonal neurobiology
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Child-Parent Psychotherapy
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Circle of Security
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DIR/Floortime
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Mindfulness-based approaches
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Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed therapy
I also draw from Gottman-based relational work when helping families improve communication, reduce conflict, and strengthen trust and connection within the family system.
I work with families around:
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Parent-child conflict
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Emotional regulation difficulties
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Communication problems
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Family stress and burnout
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Neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism
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Behavioral challenges
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Attachment and connection difficulties
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Parenting support
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Adolescent and teen issues
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Life transitions
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Cultural and intergenerational dynamics
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Co-parenting challenges
I work with parents and families from diverse cultural backgrounds, including immigrant and bicultural families navigating different parenting styles, expectations, identities, and generational experiences.
Family therapy may include the full family, parents only, parent-child sessions, or different combinations depending on the needs of the family.
I offer online family therapy for clients located in California.
Fluent in English and Turkish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your approach to family therapy?
My approach to family therapy is grounded in attachment theory, trauma-informed care, developmental psychology, interpersonal neurobiology, and family systems work. I help families improve communication, reduce conflict and reactivity, strengthen connection, and better understand underlying emotional and relational patterns.
What types of families do you work with?
I work with parents, adolescents, teens, and families from diverse backgrounds, including immigrant and bicultural families navigating cultural, generational, and parenting differences.
What issues do you help families with?
I support families with:
Parent-child conflict
Emotional regulation difficulties
Communication challenges
Family stress and burnout
ADHD and autism-related challenges
Behavioral concerns
Attachment and connection difficulties
Parenting support
Adolescent and teen issues
Co-parenting challenges
Life transitions
Cultural and intergenerational dynamics
Do you work with neurodivergent children and teens?
Yes. I have extensive experience supporting neurodivergent children and adolescents, including those with ADHD, autism, social challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, and sensory or relational differences.
Do you work directly with young children?
I no longer work directly with very young children. However, my background in developmental psychology, attachment, and early childhood trauma strongly informs my work with parents, caregivers, and family systems.
What therapy models inform your work?
My work is informed by:
Attachment Theory
Interpersonal Neurobiology
Child-Parent Psychotherapy
Circle of Security
DIR/Floortime
Mindfulness-based approaches
Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed therapy
Gottman-based relational work
What happens during family therapy sessions?
Family therapy sessions may include the full family, parents only, parent-child sessions, or different combinations depending on the family’s needs and goals.
How can family therapy help?
Family therapy can help families:
Improve communication
Reduce conflict and reactivity
Strengthen emotional connection
Better understand behavioral and emotional patterns
Navigate transitions and stressors
Build healthier and more supportive relationships
Do you offer parenting support?
Yes. I work with parents around emotional regulation, communication, attachment, behavioral challenges, co-parenting, and understanding children’s developmental and emotional needs.
Do you work with trauma?
Yes. My background includes training and clinical work in trauma-informed and attachment-focused settings, including at UCSF’s Infant-Parent Program and Child Trauma Research Center.
Do you offer online therapy?
Yes. I offer online family therapy for clients located in California.
What languages do you speak?
I am fluent in English and Turkish.
What is interpersonal neurobiology?
Interpersonal neurobiology is an approach that explores how relationships, attachment, emotions, and the nervous system interact and shape emotional well-being, behavior, and connection.
Is family therapy confidential?
Yes. Therapy sessions are confidential within legal and ethical limits. Please note that standard email communication is not fully secure, and using email involves some confidentiality risks.
Do both parents need to attend family therapy?
Not necessarily. Depending on the situation, therapy may involve one parent, both parents, parent-child sessions, or the entire family.
How do I know if family therapy is right for us?
Family therapy may be helpful if your family is experiencing ongoing conflict, communication difficulties, emotional disconnection, behavioral concerns, stress, or difficulty navigating life transitions and relationships.