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Leyla Gulcur

Leyla Gulcur

Dr.

Gender Identity: female

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Short Biography

I'm a clinical psychologist specializing in culture-informed sex and relationship therapy. I often work with expats and multicultural individuals navigating intercultural partnerships, desire discrepancies and a broad range of sexual and relational concerns, including non-traditional relationships. My work is relational, direct and body-aware. I integrate sex and couples therapy with a culturally-sensitive approach to help you see patterns clearly, communicate more effectively, and reconnect with desire and intimacy. We work actively and thoughtfully, with attention to both emotional and embodied experience. Therapy is available in English and Turkish.

Therapy Philosophy

I pay particular attention to cultural context — not as background detail, but as the actual material of the work. The messages people absorb about sex, relationships, gender, and identity are deeply cultural, often unconscious, and rarely examined. Making them visible is frequently where the most important shifts happen. I also bring something less common to this work: I'm a long-time practitioner and instructor of tai chi, bagua and qigong, and a certified Medical Qigong Therapist. This shapes how I think about the body's role in emotional and sexual experience, and I draw on somatic and movement-based approaches with clients when relevant.

Special Training & Certifications

I draw on a range of evidence-based approaches including sex therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, attachment-based therapy, CBT, Brainspotting, and somatic and mindfulness-based techniques. I'm also trained in psychedelic therapy and integration.

Clinical Focus / Specialties

Relationship conflict Communication difficulties Premarital counseling Relocation or adjustment difficulties Difficulty regulating emotions Sexuality & Gender-Related Concerns Sexual identity exploration Gender identity exploration

Therapist Methodology

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Psychodynamic Therapy Attachment-Based Therapy Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) Brainspotting Somatic Therapy Mindfulness-Based Therapy Yoga-Informed Therapy Breathwork Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) Gottman Method Feminist Therapy Spiritual / Transpersonal Therapy Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Sex Therapy Motivational Interviewing

Core Values

Social Justice & Equity Values
Anti-racist Feminist-informed Queer- and trans-affirming Racial equity-focused Culturally responsive Immigrant and refugee-affirming Anti-oppressive practice Intersectional awareness
Identity, Community & Belonging Values
LGBTQIA+ affirming Gender-expansive aware BIPOC-affirming Neurodiversity-affirming Fat liberation-oriented Faith-affirming / spiritually inclusive Secular-affirming Interfaith respectful Family-diverse (poly / ENM / chosen family-affirming) Centering marginalized voices Multicultural sensitivity Community resilience-focused Cultural identity exploration Affirming mixed-race / multiracial experiences Affirming intersectional identities
Relational & Healing Philosophy Values
Trauma-informed Strengths-based Client-centered Collaborative Compassion-focused Empowerment-based Nonjudgmental Authentic and transparent Boundaried compassion Radical acceptance Centering safety and trust Relational and attachment-oriented Emotions as information Empowerment through connection Dignity and respect Transparency and repair Acceptance and commitment Co-created healing relationship
Mind & Body Spirit & Holistic Healing Values
Somatic / body-based awareness Mindfulness-oriented Holistic / integrative healing Movement or art-informed Rest as resistance Pleasure and joy as healing Spiritual but not religious Connection between personal and systemic healing Soul-centered / transpersonal lens Embodied empowerment Grounded presence Self-compassion and stillness
Practice Ethics & Professional Integrity Values
Equity over perfection Accountability and integrity Client autonomy Cultural humility over competence Informed consent emphasis Ethical activism Transparency in process Professional collaboration Centering client dignity Ongoing education commitment Non-hierarchical relationship Anti-carceral and anti-pathologizing lens Restorative justice-informed Accessibility as ethical practice Therapist as co-learner

Book a Session

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Practice Information

  • Experience: 13 years
  • Availability: Online Sessions Only
  • Languages: English, Turkish
  • Session Cost: $250+
  • Accepts Insurance: No
  • Populations Served: 18+,BIPOC clients,LGBTQIA+ clients,Couples,Immigrant and First Generation , Intercultural, bicultural, multicultural individuals and partners

Credentials

  • License:
    License verification pending or self-certified

Office & Contact Info