Online therapy for Turks living abroad
Wherever you are, a safe space in your mother tongue
You might be in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, the US, or somewhere else in the world. This is a space where you can express what you feel in Turkish, in the words that fit best, without translating in your head.
I'm Gamze Akmeşe, a Turkish-speaking online psychologist living in South Korea. I know firsthand what it means to build a life far from home. If you're reading this in English to understand my work for yourself or for someone you love, you're welcome here too. You're not alone.
Why therapy in your mother tongue?
Living abroad, you may get through your days in German, English, or Dutch. But your deepest feelings, your oldest memories, and that familiar inner voice often live in your mother tongue. It's natural to feel a little distant, a little like a translator, when you speak in another language.
My sessions are conducted in Turkish, so you don't have to search for the right word to describe what you feel; you can express yourself in the most honest, fullest way in your own language, and the shortest path to your emotions often runs through it. A note for partners and family who read English: sessions are held in Turkish, and I don't offer therapy in English yet, so this page is here to help you understand the kind of support I offer and how to reach out on behalf of someone close to you.
- You can share your feelings in your own language, without translating.
- You don't have to explain your cultural background from scratch.
- If finding a Turkish-speaking therapist nearby is hard, online sessions offer an accessible option.
Working with someone who can understand
I completed my bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology in South Korea, and I still live here. So I know what it's like to live between two cultures, to exist in a foreign language, and to carry feelings of belonging and longing — not from theory, but from my own experience.
I share this not to set myself apart, but because it can feel reassuring to know that the person across from you has walked similar roads. You won't have to explain the feelings that come with living far from home from the very beginning.
Feelings that often come with life abroad
Living abroad can be both empowering and tiring. If one or more of the themes below feels familiar, we can talk through them together.
- Feeling caught between two cultures, with questions of identity and belonging
- Loneliness and a sense of social isolation
- Longing, homesickness, and feelings about those left behind
- Adjusting to a new country, culture shock, and settling into a new life
- Relationships, family, and differences across generations (including the second generation who grew up abroad)
- Anxiety, heavy stress, and a sense of burnout
Where do my clients live?
Because sessions are fully online and over video, you can join from anywhere with an internet connection. Along with clients in Türkiye, I work with Turks living abroad.
Turkish-speaking therapy in Germany, a Turkish-speaking psychologist for those in the Netherlands, support in Turkish in London or across the UK, online sessions for Turks in different parts of Europe and in the US — whether or not your country is on the list below, you can write to me if you're looking for a Turkish-speaking online psychologist.
- Germany, Austria, Switzerland
- the Netherlands, Belgium
- the UK (London and other cities)
- France, the Nordic countries, and Europe more broadly
- the United States and Canada
- Don't hesitate to reach out for countries not on the list, too
We work out the time difference together
The question I hear most is usually about the time difference: "You live in Korea — can we find a time that works for me?" The answer is yes. As a psychologist living in South Korea (GMT+9), I'm already used to working across different time zones.
My morning or evening may land at a time that suits you in Europe or the US. We plan your session time together around your life and work schedule. We can talk through early-morning, evening, and weekend options.
An integrative approach shaped around you
Rather than applying a single method to everyone, I prefer to draw on different approaches together, based on what you need. I bring together psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), emotion-focused therapy, and EMDR within an integrative, culturally sensitive frame.
This frame is suited to working with themes of migration, adjustment, identity, and trauma. The process isn't a mold imposed on you; it's a path that takes shape together with you.
Confidentiality and a safe space
Diaspora communities are often small, and it's understandable to worry about being recognized. Our sessions are private, closed, and confidential. What you share stays between us.
Sessions are held over an encrypted platform in line with KVKK (Türkiye's Personal Data Protection Law, No. 6698) principles, and no recording of the session is kept. My aim is to build a safe space where you can open up with ease.
How to Begin
Step by step
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Write to me on WhatsApp
The first step is simple: send me a message on WhatsApp. Since my number is a Korean line (+82), we keep in touch over WhatsApp. You can briefly tell me what kind of support you're looking for.
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Let's plan a time around your time zone
Let's talk about where you live and which times work for you. We'll figure out the time difference together and settle on a day and time that suits you. Early-morning, evening, and weekend options are possible.
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Let's sort out the payment details
We'll work out practical payment methods and the currency together over WhatsApp, since you're paying from abroad. That way, payment doesn't become a quiet obstacle for you.
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Join the video session
At the set time, you join the video session from a quiet, comfortable spot. The setup is simple, and I'll guide you through the connection. If the connection drops, stay calm — we'll pick up where we left off.
Frequently Asked Questions
About therapy from abroad
You live in Korea — with the time difference, can we still find a time that works for me?
Yes. As a psychologist living in South Korea (GMT+9), I'm used to working across different time zones. My morning or evening may line up with your time in Europe or the US. We plan the session time together so it suits you; we can talk through early-morning, evening, and weekend options.
How do I pay from abroad?
We'll work out practical payment methods and the currency together over WhatsApp. Depending on the country you're in, we can talk through the option that fits you best. That way, payment doesn't become a quiet obstacle for you.
Is online therapy a good option for people living abroad?
Online therapy is a practical, accessible way to get regular support in your mother tongue while living abroad. For many clients, video sessions are a comfortable and sustainable option. Therapy unfolds differently for each person, and I can't promise a particular outcome. My aim is to carry out a safe, regular process together with you. We can look at whether it's a good fit for you together in a first session.
Are the sessions confidential? I'm worried about being recognized.
Our sessions are private, closed, and confidential; what you share stays between us. It's very understandable to feel this way, since diaspora communities are small and the worry about being recognized is real. Sessions are held over an encrypted platform in line with KVKK (Türkiye's Personal Data Protection Law, No. 6698) principles, and no recording of the session is kept.
Which countries do your clients live in?
Because sessions are fully online, you can join from anywhere with an internet connection. I work with Turks living in different parts of Europe and the world, especially Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US. Whatever country you live in, you can write to me if you're looking for a Turkish-speaking psychologist. Please note that sessions are conducted in Turkish.
What happens if there's a technical problem, like the connection dropping?
The setup is simple, and I'll guide you through it before the session. If the connection drops, don't worry; we reconnect and continue where we left off. It can take time to feel comfortable on camera, which is completely natural, and we can ease into it together.
You're not alone.
Wherever you live, a space where you can speak in your mother tongue is one message away. When you feel ready, I'm here.