Depression Doctors Abroad — Page 2

Assistant Professor Elvan Ciftci is a dually trained psychiatrist and neuroscientist at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital. Her research-backed approach translates brain science into practical therapies for mood disorders.

• Holds a PhD in Neuroscience from Hacettepe University to better understand brain function
• Trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help patients reframe negative thought patterns
• Specialises in trauma-focused therapy and mindfulness techniques for mood management
• Uses supportive psychotherapy and motivational therapy to improve patient engagement
• Practises at Turkey's first neuropsychiatric hospital with specialised brain health facilities

Associate Professor Firdevs Seyfe Sen is a specialist psychiatrist at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital who pioneered the use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for treatment-resistant mood disorders.

• Specialises in TMS, a non-invasive brain stimulation therapy that helps patients who haven't responded to traditional medication
• Certified in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma-related symptoms
• Completed psychodrama therapy training at the Abdülkadir Özbek Psychodrama Institute
• Extensive background in psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Former branch director of Mental Health for the Kırşehir Provincial Health Directorate

Dr. Fatma Duygu Kaya Yertutanol is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital. She holds a PhD in neuroscience from Gazi University. Dr. Yertutanol treats schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, and addiction. She works at Turkey’s first JCI-accredited neuropsychiatric hospital.

• Sits on the editorial boards of two medical journals since 2010.
• Completed two TUBITAK research projects on neurobehavioral science.
• Winner of national and international awards for her scientific research.
• Member of the NPFUAM Board and the Psychiatric Association of Turkey.

Associate Professor Ceylan Ergul Arslan is a senior psychiatrist at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital, specialising in complex mental health cases.

• Trained at Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, one of Turkey's most prestigious medical schools
• Currently completing a PhD in mental health and neuroscience at Maastricht University
• Previously served as a specialist at Diyarbakir Bismil State Hospital
• Focuses on addiction and psychosis – including depression linked to co-occurring disorders
• Published researcher investigating the epidemiology of severe mental health conditions

Professor Nevzat Tarhan is the founder of NP Istanbul Brain Hospital and a leading authority on innovations in psychopharmacology for treatment-resistant mood disorders.

• Specialises in psychopharmacology – using targeted medication to manage severe stress and chemical imbalances
• Leads a multidisciplinary team at Europe's second-best neuropsychiatry hospital
• Authored over 150 research articles and 45 chapters on psychiatric care
• Recipient of the Golden Axon Leadership Award for contributions to brain health
• Rector of Uskudar University and a published expert with 1 million books sold

Dr. Melek Gozde Lus is a child psychiatrist at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital. She contributed to Turkey’s Autism Action Plan. She trained family physicians on early autism detection. Dr. Lus treats ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. She also manages anxiety and OCD in children and adolescents.

• Member of the American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
• Holds international certification in schema therapy.
• Specially trained in CBT-based play therapy and filial therapy.
• Authored research on bipolar co-diagnosis in children with ADHD.

Dr. Nihal Tastekin is a psychiatrist at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital. She specializes in addiction treatment and anxiety disorders. Her research focuses on computer-assisted cognitive improvement for opioid use disorder. She uses dynamic psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to treat patients.

• Experienced in AMATEM clinic outpatient and inpatient addiction care.
• Treats complex mental health conditions, including paranoia and depression.
• Expert in cognitive remediation and mood disorder management.
• Works at Turkey’s first JCI-certified private neuropsychiatric hospital.

Professor Sermin Kesebir is a leading psychiatrist at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital, specialising in the complex field of psychoneurophysiology for mood disorders.

• Focuses on depressive and bipolar disorders using psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy
• Specialises in psychoneurophysiology – studying the relationship between brain function and mental health
• Former academic at Ege University and experienced clinical researcher
• Published extensive research on emotional disorders in international peer-reviewed journals
• Contributes to scientific conferences on global mental health treatment protocols

Dr. Emine Yagmur Zorbozan is a psychiatrist. She graduated from Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine. She completed psychiatry specialty training in 2019 at Istanbul Erenköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital. Her thesis was a controlled study on substance addiction. It compared frontal functions in synthetic cannabinoid and opioid use disorders.

Her practice includes Elazığ Mental Health Hospital (closed psychiatry, AMATEM). She also worked at Bursa City Hospital (outpatient, inpatient, high-security forensic psychiatry). She served as a trainer-of-trainers for Driver Behavior Improvement programs with the Ministry of Health.

Uzm. Dr. Gunay Hajiyeva is a psychiatrist. She graduated from Azerbaijan Medical University in 2013. She completed her psychiatry residency at Cukurova University Balcali Hospital in 2021. She received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, and Dynamic Sexual Therapy.

Her clinical focus includes schizophrenia, mood disorders, trauma, anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcohol and substance use disorders, and sexual dysfunction. She speaks English, Russian, and German. She is active in academic and clinical research. She has presented at national and international congresses.

Dr Ornicha Thititagul completed a geriatric medicine clinical observership at Concord Repatriation General Hospital in Sydney, giving her direct experience with the Australian healthcare model.

• Specialises in lifestyle medicine to manage depressive symptoms through holistic health changes
• Certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in integrated care for older people
• Lectures in preventive medicine at Mahidol University, a top Thai medical school
• Diplomate in Geriatric Medicine with expertise in managing mental health in ageing patients

Dr Naphat Sirinimnualkul leads psychiatric care at the Excellence Centre for Sleep Disorders at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. He treats the complex link between sleep health and mental wellbeing.

• Specialises in managing mood disorders where sleep disturbances are a central symptom
• Trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia to treat sleep issues without heavy sedation
• Focuses on psychopharmacology to find the right medication balance for each patient
• Serves as a clinical instructor at Chulalongkorn University, training the next generation of psychiatrists
• Awarded a Doctor of Medicine with Second Class Honours

Professor Haluk Aksu is a specialist at Medicalpoint International Hospital who trained at Istanbul University – Turkey's most established medical school.

• Treats medication-resistant depression using psychopharmacological management
• Uses EMDR therapy – a technique that desensitises traumatic memories often linked to depression
• Practises Cognitive and Behavioural therapies to help patients reframe negative thought patterns
• Trained at Bakirkoy Training and Research Hospital – a major specialist centre for neurological diseases

Professor Ahmet Levent Mete leads the psychiatry department at Medicalpoint International, bringing senior clinical leadership to the management of complex mental health cases.

• Trained at Hacettepe University – one of Turkey's highest-ranking medical schools
• Researched psychiatric disorders at Ege University Faculty of Medicine
• Manages depression alongside co-occurring conditions like anxiety and sleep disorders
• Focuses on evidence-based protocols for mood and personality disorders