Welcome to Yasamca Family Counseling Center
I’m Çiğdem Alper, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 83379) in California, specializing in Systemic Couple and Family Therapy. With over 20 years of experience in Turkey, the UK, and the USA, I bring a multicultural perspective to my work, helping clients navigate relationship challenges, family dynamics, and personal growth.
Professional Background
My academic journey began in 2003 when I completed a Diploma in Psychology from London Metropolitan University. I gained early professional experience at the Northover Community Mental Health Center (NHS) and contributed to the Hearing Voices Project at the Deptford Centre.
In 2006, I earned a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology (Integral Counseling Psychology) from the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco. I then joined the Haight Ashbury Psychological Center, where I worked with a team that integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic, and Systemic approaches to support individuals and couples.
I continued to expand my expertise at the Center for Healthy Development, where I worked closely with children and families, especially in cases of high-conflict divorce, collaborating with the Family Court. In 2008, I further developed my skills in brief therapy with specialized training at the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto.
After returning to Turkey in 2009, I joined the İlişki Psikoterapileri Enstitüsü (Institute of Relationship Psychotherapies) in Istanbul, where I focused on developing my systemic therapy practice. In 2014, I founded the Urla Psychotherapy Center, and in 2019, I established Yasamca Family Counseling Center in Izmir to provide comprehensive therapeutic services with my growing team.
Services
At Yasamca Family Counseling Center, we offer therapy in English and Turkish, both in-person in Izmir and online. Our approach is rooted in systemic therapy, integrating various therapeutic modalities to meet your needs.
Memberships
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- International Family Therapy Association (IFTA)
- European Family Therapy Association (EFTA), EFTA-CIM member
- Couple and Family Therapies Association (CATED), founding member
If you’d like to schedule a session, feel free to reach out through our online appointment form. I look forward to supporting your path to well-being and fulfilling relationships.