Inner Self
Therapy & Counselling

Let’s meet where your inner voice begins to be heard
Based in Ireland & Türkiye

Clinical Psychologist
Şeyda Uzunbay

I am Şeyda, a clinical psychologist.In my 10-year professional journey in Turkey and Ireland, I provide face-to-face and online Turkish/English therapy services with a trauma-sensitive and holistic approach. Therapy begins with the courage to approach your inner voice. I am here to accompany you on this journey.

My Approach to Therapy

Every therapeutic process begins with the courage to approach oneself. This journey is not just about overcoming difficulties; it is about making room for emotions, experiences and inner strength.

Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy

Getting started in therapy can sometimes be full of uncertainty. I've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the sessions.

My writings / articles

Reflective thoughts on emotions, migration and inner journeys

Educational Background / Trainings

I believe that therapy practice is shaped by the therapist's personality, training, supervision processes and life experiences as a whole. My approach is shaped within a framework that is relational, trauma-sensitive and supports the person's internal resources. I continue to feed this approach with the academic knowledge and therapeutic training I have gained over the years.

Parental Counseling

Parenting requires us to be in touch not only with the child but also with our own emotions. Parental counseling can guide us in understanding the child's developmental needs and establishing a more regulating and inclusive relationship.

Adult Psychotherapy

"The wound is where the light seeps in." Mevlana

Couple and Family Therapy

We get hurt in relationships, and we heal in relationships. Couples therapy offers a safe space to make sense of recurring cycles in a relationship, repair emotional distances, and find a new direction together.

Adolescent Psychotherapy

Adolescence is not just about growing up, it is about getting to know yourself again. Therapy can be a stop that accompanies the young person on this inner journey.

ABOUT ME

Hello, I am Şeyda Uzunbay. I am a clinical psychologist and have 10 years of experience in the field of psychotherapy.I started my journey in psychology at Marmara University, Department of Psychological Counseling and Guidance and graduated with high honors. Then I completed my master's degree in Clinical Psychology at Istanbul Arel University. I completed my master's degree with my thesis titled "Authenticity in relationships and sexual satisfaction as predictors of relationship satisfaction in emerging adulthood".I enriched my experiences by working with different age groups and needs in my professional life. I worked as a school psychologist in Bilfen Educational Institutions and IELEV Schools in Turkey for a total of 4 years, closely accompanying the developmental processes of children and families. During this period, I conducted extensive studies to support the social-emotional development of children and young people.Later, I moved my career to Ireland and worked as a school psychologist for 2 years. Here, I developed my therapeutic approaches in order to support the social-emotional needs of children and work in collaboration with families. I had the opportunity to closely observe the effects of different cultural contexts on individuals. I believe that the experiences I gained during this process increased the cultural sensitivity and richness of my therapy approach.In 2018, I founded my company "Inner Self Therapy and Consultancy", where I conduct psychotherapy processes for individuals and couples. During this process, I determined working with a trauma-sensitive, relational and holistic approach as my basic principles. I actively use evidence-based methods such as EMDR, Psychodrama, Gottman Couple Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Experiential Play Therapy. I continue my therapies in both Turkish and English.I am also a member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and I value continuous professional development. I believe that therapy is creating a safe space for a person to hear their inner voice and establish a new relationship with themselves.If you would like to embark on this journey together and discover your own inner voice, I would be happy to accompany you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What should I do to start therapy?
The first step is to request a short initial meeting. During this free initial meeting, which lasts approximately 15 minutes, I both listen to you and provide you with the necessary information about the process. We then evaluate together whether the process is suitable for you.2. How long do sessions last? How often do they take place?
Individual sessions usually last 50 minutes. The frequency of the meeting is determined by the person's needs; it is usually planned to be once a week.3. Is online therapy as effective as face-to-face?
Yes. Research shows that online therapy can be as effective as face-to-face therapy, especially in individual work. As long as you provide a safe and focused environment, online therapy can also deepen.4. What topics do you work on?
I work on many topics such as depression, anxiety and stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, loss and mourning processes, migration process, identity questions, relationship problems, self-esteem, anxiety disorder, panic attacks, anger management problems, adult attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, burnout and work-life balance, substance abuse, sexual dysfunctions, eating disorders, parenting counseling. I work with children, adults and couples in different schools.5. How long does the therapy process last?
This varies depending on the person and the topic being worked on. While some processes last a few months, others can be longer and more in-depth. The process is shaped flexibly.6. What is discussed in the sessions?
Many things can be discussed, from daily troubles to your past experiences, feelings and relationship patterns. The sessions progress in line with what you bring.7. What should I prepare for the session?
You don't need to prepare. It is enough to come as you are. The feelings, thoughts and questions that appear in your mind will already be the ground on which we can start working.8. What should I know about confidentiality?
Everything shared in therapy is kept confidential. Within ethical and legal boundaries, confidentiality can only be violated if the person's or others' life is in danger. Information is provided on this subject at the beginning of the session.9. I don't feel ready to start therapy, but a part of me wants it. What should I do?
This is a very understandable internal contradiction. Starting therapy can be a big decision. Talking about your indecisions is also part of the process. If you wish, we can evaluate this dilemma together in the preliminary meeting.10. What happens in case of session cancellation or postponement?
When a session needs to be canceled or changed, it is expected that at least 24 hours of notice be given. Session fees may be charged for cancellations that are not made within this period.11. What happens if I take a break from therapy?
It may be necessary to take a break from the therapy process from time to time. In such cases, we make plans together so that the process does not break down. It is possible to re-establish a framework in the feedback.Not all of your questions may be answered on this page. You can contact us for any details you are hesitant or curious about.

MASTER'S DEGREE
Istanbul Arel University, Clinical Psychology (Thesis)

BACHELOR'S EDUCATION
Marmara University, Psychological Counseling and Guidance (High Honor Student)

SPECIALIZATION AND CERTIFICATION TRAINING

  • EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy Level 1 - Ay Institute

  • EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy Level 2 - DBE (Behavioral Sciences Institute)

  • Gottman Couple Therapy Level 1 – The Gottman Institute

  • Personality, Personality Disorders and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy- Prof. Dr. Doğan Şahin

  • Psychodrama Basic Stage Training – Istanbul Psychodrama Institute

  • Experiential Play Therapy Level 1 Training - Family Psychological Services (FPSCA)-

  • Experiential Play Therapy Level 2 Training - Family Psychological Services (FPSCA)

  • Solution Focused Brief Therapy Training - Dr. Nevin Dölek

  • CAS – Cognitive Assessment System Practitioner Certificate

MEMBERSHIPS

  • Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)

  • EMDR Türkiye Association

MY WRITINGS
Reflective thoughts on emotions, migration and inner journeys

MY THERAPY APPROACH

I see the therapy process not only as addressing problems but also as creating a safe space for the person to reshape their relationship with themselves. For me, the therapeutic relationship is based on trust, openness and the transformative power of human contact. Since I know that each individual's needs and story are unique, I shape the process flexibly and together with the client.My approach is scientifically based and holistic. I bring together different methods such as EMDR, Psychodrama, Psychodynamic Therapy, Gottman Couple Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Experiential Play Therapy in accordance with the client's life story, emotional needs and therapy goals. In trauma-focused work in particular, I proceed by taking into account the traces carried by the body and emotional regulation processes.In therapy, I open space not only for challenging emotions but also for the individual's inner strength, resilience and transformation capacity. I interpret this process as a journey of companionship where the person can get closer to themselves and look at their emotions with compassion.If you also want to take a closer look at your own story, make sense of your emotions and reach your inner resources; I would be happy to accompany you on this journey.

ADULT PSYCHOTHERAPY"The wound is where the light seeps in"- Mevlana

In life, we may feel emotionally challenged, directionless, lonely or stuck from time to time. Adulthood is a time period when responsibilities increase, relationships become more complicated and past experiences affect our current self more. During this process, we may have difficulty making sense of what is happening in our inner world and reflect the effects of our experiences on both ourselves and our environment.Adult psychotherapy provides a professional accompaniment to the emotional, relational or existential difficulties experienced by individuals aged 18 and over. During the psychotherapy process, the person can verbalize the internal conflicts, pains, uncertainties or areas of life that have lost their meaning in a safe relationship space. This space provides a ground where you can be heard without being judged, where we can look at your experiences together and rediscover your own inner reality.The reasons for seeking therapy vary from person to person. Sometimes a loss, separation or a traumatic experience triggers the process; sometimes an inner restlessness that you cannot make sense of, the need to know yourself or recurring cycles in relationships may lead you on this path. Whatever the reason, psychotherapy offers you a place to look more closely, deepen what you hear, and rebuild your life.In this process, I work with an understanding that prioritizes the individual’s awareness of their inner resources, getting in touch with different aspects of themselves, and approaching their emotions with compassion. In therapy, I care about looking not only at the symptoms but also at the message the symptom carries. I would be happy to accompany you on this journey to discover, make sense of, and transform your inner world.

COUPLE AND FAMILY THERAPY

"Love is not about looking at each other; it is about looking together in the same direction." — Antoine de Saint-ExupéryRelationships are one of the most nourishing but also the most challenging areas of life. Over time, the language of love may change, needs may transform, and communication may be disrupted. In such cases, couples or family members may feel that they are emotionally distant or stuck in recurring conflict cycles around the same issues. At this point, couple and family therapy offers an important resource for looking at relational dynamics together, producing new meanings, and rebuilding a sense of trust.Couple and family therapy accepts that blockages in relationships arise not only from the characteristics of individuals, but also from the mutual interactions within the relationship system. During the therapy process, dysfunctional communication patterns, emotional distances, burdens carried from the past, and expectations are addressed within a therapeutic framework. The aim is not only to solve problems; but to build a relationship foundation where the parties can get to know themselves and each other better, establish a bond, and develop together.In the couple and family therapies I conduct under the umbrella of Inner Self, I utilize Gottman Couple Therapy and relational approaches. Sessions take place in a safe atmosphere where the parties are not judged, are heard and invited to think together. We work with the awareness that each individual comes to the relationship with their own past experiences, values and attachment patterns.In this process, clients are supported in both recognizing their own individual needs and developing the capacity to hear the other person. The therapeutic journey carried out together aims to strengthen communication, reestablish emotional bonds and discover the potential of the relationship.If you want to re-examine your relationship, hear each other and determine a common direction, I would be happy to accompany you on this journey.

ADOLESCENT PSYCHOTHERAPY

Adolescence is an important developmental period in which the individual undergoes a major change both physically and emotionally, and takes the first steps towards forming their identity. During this period, young individuals experience transformation not only physically but also in social and psychological areas. Emotions intensify, thoughts become complex, and relationships are redefined. The desire to belong and the need for individualization can often conflict; there may be ups and downs between the search for independence and parental control.During adolescence; themes such as anxiety about the future, adaptation to the social environment, taking responsibility, self-perception, identity development, recognizing sexual identity, the need for belonging, and emotional fluctuations come to the fore. At the same time, with the development of mental functions, the individual encounters experiences such as abstract thinking, questioning, and conflict with authority. The difficulties of this period can sometimes manifest themselves as psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm tendencies, family conflicts, or problems with friendships.
Adolescent psychotherapy provides a safe ground for the young person to make sense of their feelings, create space for their internal conflicts, and restructure their relationships during this intense transformation process. Therapy creates a space where the young person can be listened to and accepted by an adult without being judged. In this space, the young person can develop new perspectives on both themselves and their environment, and increase their emotional resilience.In the adolescent therapy studies I conduct at Inner Self, I proceed with sensitivity to individual characteristics, developmental needs and familial context, considering that each individual has a different story and a different rhythm. The therapy process focuses not only on symptoms, but also on the individual's self-development and relationship patterns. Because adolescence is not just a temporary period; it is a phase in which the foundation of future psychological integrity is laid.

PARENTAL COUNSELING

"It's fun to hide, it's a disaster not to be found." — Donald W. WinnicottParenthood is a process that requires confronting one's own inner experiences as well as accompanying the child's developmental journey. In this journey, where each age period has different needs, parents may need support and guidance from time to time. Parental counseling is a structured psychological support process to understand the child's developmental needs, evaluate their behaviors in a more accurate framework, and establish more functional relationship dynamics within the family.This counseling, which covers the age range of 0-18, aims to accompany parents in the difficulties encountered during pregnancy and infancy (0-2 years), early childhood (2-6 years), childhood (6-12 years), and adolescence (12-18 years). A wide range of topics can be addressed, such as sleep patterns, nutrition, toilet habits, separation anxiety, sibling jealousy, school adaptation, setting boundaries, tantrums, digital media use, privacy education, and the search for identity that comes with adolescence.The goal in this process is to support the parent in developing a more inclusive, regulating and emotionally accessible attitude in their relationship with their child. The counseling process not only allows the child to change their behavior, but also allows the parent to recognize their own feelings and boundaries. Because the child's well-being is directly related to the parent's relationship with their inner world.In the parenting counseling process I conduct at Inner Self, I conduct a multi-layered assessment by considering the family system and individual parenting stories as well as developmental needs. Creating a space where the parent does not feel alone, is included and can develop functional solutions is my main priority.
It is very valuable to receive support not when parenting becomes difficult, but when meaning becomes complicated. If you also need a companion in this process, I would be happy to think together.